Contribute to good working relationships

1.1      Identify key roles and tasks in the production process

Below is a simple diagram I created showing the life cycle and process of creating and sustaining an eCommerce website.

The next diagram below introduces the key roles involved at each process of creating an eCommerce website. 

1.2 Outline how to clarify, agree and revise working arrangements in a way which promotes good working relationships and 3.1 Clarify, agree and revise working arrangements, promoting good working relationships

There are a number of ways to successfully negotiate working arrangements that promote good healthy work relationships. Probably the most important of them of all is face-to-face discussions. During face-to-face discussions persons involved will use eye contact, body language and tone of voice to influence and build trust while getting to know colleagues. Making a note of what is discussed during meetings can be very useful and is an important part of the process. By doing so colleagues can always refer to notes from the last meeting. Colleagues may also need to meet again to discuss anything that hasn’t been agreed or fulfilled, having notes come in handy when sending confirmation emails as back up. Lets say for example the meeting was with a business partner or a client hiring your services, a contract should be signed by the client and person(s) involved (including you) outlining the terms and conditions, service offered, time, date etc with a copy for the client and the seller. This benefits both parties, as the seller can’t rip you off as you have a contractual agreement as proof and the client can’t claim to be owed a service not purchased as the seller has contractual proof.

2.1 Explain the importance of balancing the needs of tasks and people

It’s important to have a good balance between the needs of tasks and people. Getting to know your colleagues is a good way to finding common ground which will help create a relaxed working environment. Some work places offer employees days out for the purpose of team building exercises away from the work place. The more you get to know someone, chances are the more comfortable you become around him or her and the likeliness that you’ll find common interests. When an employer is looking to hire an employee they’re always looking for a candidate with good interpersonal skills, someone who can integrate well within the team. While these skills may be relevant to the job it is also very important to be able organize and prioritize work efficiently. Too much time talking is enough time wasted. A colleague or colleagues at work considered a chatterbox can be viewed as engaging with challenging behavior which in return distracts others causing a ripple in the workplace by slowing others down, who may be dependant on each other and as a result the whole team work process suffers to a slow grind.

2.2 Explain the importance of sharing information with colleagues

Sharing information with colleagues is a vital part of teamwork; sharing and not sharing information can mean the difference between a successful completed project and a stressful overdue project.

Example – (The diagram shows the process of creating an ecommerce website for a client from beginning to end.) Looking at the diagram you can see annotations outlining who’s involved at what part of the project.

 

 

2.3 Identify ways of tactfully requesting others to change working arrangements to improve own productivity

At work you may find yourself up to your neck with to-do lists with several deadlines, many of them being close to each other. The next step is to prioritize and organize your time and work load accordingly. Putting together a contingency plan can help you realize any gaps where you can perhaps move things around in order to free up time to get things done. I have personally had to re-arrange work arrangements in order to improve my own productivity by re-scheduling a meeting to a later date. After reviewing my circumstance I made the decision to re-schedule a meeting by sending an email to my colleagues explaining my situation, while tactfully suggesting a change of date outlining other alternative options. Because I didn’t leave it to the last minute I was able to secure another date for the meeting and use the time available to get more work done.

2.4 Describe how to explain own decisions clearly and constructively and 3.2 Communicate own decisions clearly and constructively

When making decisions it is important to consider others and the effects or consequences it may have on yourself or the team. Decisions should be made to reach the best possible outcome for all involved, which is not always the easiest to make. Some decisions in life are far easier than others to point it becomes more of an instinct for example – You’re crossing the road and you see a car is speeding towards you, you either stop, continue as you were or you jump out the way. In this case you want to live so you jump out the way knowing you certainly made the right decision.  When it comes to making difficult decisions you should consider all the options and the benefits and drawbacks of each choice while evaluating if it makes sense to use whichever one in order to achieve the objective. Make sure you’ve considered the long term as things change it might make things harder in the long run.


2.5 Describe how to resolve conflict situations or dissatisfaction and 3.3 and resolve any conflict situations or dissatisfaction as necessary

The best way to handle a situation of conflict or dissatisfaction is to stay calm as possible, acting on emotions such as anger can result in a making the situation much worse. You should always look at these situations from the other persons perspective, it might not necessarily be their fault or under their control. If you do find yourself feeling angry or wound up its best to remove yourself from the situation even if that means going outside to take time out to calm down, reflect and think things through.

When you and persons involved are calm the next step will be to resolve the situation. This can be done in a number of ways but I believe the best way is to arrange to sit down and have a mature meeting to discuss the issues  - how they arose, how they could have been avoided and how they can be resolved.

In some situations it is best to inform your manager and any other authority as they will have the authority and experience on how to control the situation and if need be they can take action.

2.6 Explain the importance of liaison with colleagues to productivity and 3.4 liaise with appropriate colleagues to ensure effective and productive working

Making a contribution and liaising with your team through the sharing of valued information is extremely essential in the workplace, communication is an everyday thing but it is important that you have the right skills to communicate complicated information. An organisation is a team, some tasks may be done solely but they are all in favour to reach a goal/objective or to complete a task/project.

As a design apprentice at Live Nation my job isn’t only to design but also to learn as much as I can during my time spent. I usually learn something new everyday and a lot of that comes from asking my colleagues questions. My colleagues exchanging valuable information with me enables me to execute what I’ve learnt in tasks and projects. It is the exchange of valuable information between my colleagues and me that I’m able to grow and learn new things faster because I’ve been able to put into practice.