What are detractors saying about PowerPoint, and why are they condemning it? Present data that shows the pros and cons of using and not using PowerPoint.

PowerPoint has been around for over twenty-five years.  This type of longevity indicates that the pros outweighs the cons.  However, this does not negate legitimate cons of the use of PowerPoint for certain presentations.

Detractors from the use of PowerPoint feel PowerPoint is not suitable for certain types of presentations such as a detailed process.   One major con of using PowerPoint to present a detailed process is that PowerPoint slides forces the presenter to reduce complex subjects to a set of bullet items which are too weak to support decision-making or show the complexity of an issue.

Click on the following link http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/discourse to read an article that focuses on the cons of NASA using a PowerPoint presentation to discuss a detailed process in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. 

 Outlined below are pros and cons of using PowerPoint.

Pros of using PowerPoint

Cons of using PowerPoint

·         can enhance clarity, interest, and retention   ·         can address multiple learning styles ·         can illustrate complicated pictorial, statistical, or conceptual material ·         can alleviate public speaking fear ·         can make logical structure of arguments more transparent ·         can enhance comprehensibility of nonnative speakers ·         can reinforce a message (two channels better than one)

·         not suitable for certain types of presentations (commencement speeches, poetry, etc.) and detailed processes ·         bullet-point templates can lead to staccato summaries ·         rigid structure can alienate audiences (no room to digress) ·         dependence on technology

(https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/tutorials/powerpoint/tips.htm)

In conclusion, when using PowerPoint as a means to teach or persuade, the information in your presentation should be accurate and easy to understand.  Additionally your presentation should be used as a visual to capture your audience attention not to replace your words.

 

What soft skills do employers request when they list job openings in your field?

 
I currently work in the Human Resources field. As a HR Generalist, I feel to be successful you must possess soft skills. I began my career as an HR Assistant, within a year I was promote to HR Support Staff and by the next year I was promoted to HR Generalist.  I believe my ability to communicate effectively and my ability to analyze and solve problems has afford me these advancements within my company. 

Employment in the Human Resources field requires efficiency in  soft skills.  Outline below is the competency portion of a job description for a HR Generalist.

Competencies

1.      Problem Solving/Analysis

2.      Project Management

3.      Communication Proficiency

4.      Ethical Conduct

5.      Time Management

(http://www.shrm.org/templatestools/samples/jobdescriptions/pages/cms_001297.aspx#sthash.n02uO6BA.dpuf)

 Communication Proficiency both verbal and written is the most important soft skill.  The ability to communicate effectively play a key role in the interaction with employees.  Whether discussing health benefits or performance accountability, a clear and concise message must be relayed to the employee to avoid miscommunication.

Next the ability to problem solve is crucial because it  involves using both soft and hard skills.  The ability to critically think through a problem, combine with the knowledge of how to use the tools necessary to achieve a solution is a win-win situation.

Project Management is also crucial to success of a business.  Project Management includes the ability to work in a team.  Being a great team player requires skills that includes respectful listening, the ability to collaborate and when needed the art of persuasion.

Time Management is another soft skill that should not be overlooked.  In the Human Resources field there is a wide range of jobs within each category; which include hiring of employees, employee retention, employee satisfaction, and employee benefits. In order to manage such a wide range of jobs, It is important that you manage your time efficiently and effectively to maximize your role as a Human Resources professional.

The Human Resources department is the author of policies and procedures. Not only are we the author, but also the enforcer of the policies and procedures.  This requires our decisions and conduct to be fair and ethical at all times.  All employees must be treated with fairness.

Lastly, in regards to how I would rate myself on the level of soft skills I possess is as follows: 

Soft Skills	Ratings	Process Improvement
Problem Solving/Analysis	8	Continuing education
Project Management	8	Continuing education
Communication Proficiency	7	Additional Communication training
Ethical Conduct	9	Continue doing the right thing
Time Management	7	Continuing education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain what plagiarism is and how you can avoid it.

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means

• to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
• to use (another's production) without crediting the source
• to commit literary theft
• to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

(http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/what-is-plagiarism/)

To avoid plagiarizing asked yourself, is this my idea? or did I create this graphic?  If you answer yes to either of those questions make sure you give credit to the author by citing your source.  Another way to avoid plagiarizing is to use your own ideas. 

Plagiarism should not only be avoided in the academic arena, but plagiarism should also be avoided in the business world.  While penalties in the academic world could cost you a failing grade, plagiarism in the business world could cost your company monetary penalties.

Plagiarism whether voluntary or involuntary is never permissible in the academic or business world.

How might technology shape business report formats and their delivery in the future?

 

Technology is currently changing the way business reports are formatted and delivered.  We live in times where information must be relayed not only quickly, but also presented in a clear and concise manner.

I believe in the near future business reports will not be as long and wordy, simply because of the culture we live in.  Everything is moving so quickly, business decisions are no longer just made through reading reports.   More and more business decisions are made on a golf course or at a business dinner with mutual acquaintances; where trust and credibility have already been established.

Technology has and will continue to afford businesses to obtain and relay information in an efficient and effective manner.  I believe technology will not only advance how we present a business report, but also how we collect data for the business report. 

 I think the future of technology will invent a software that will allow us to input the data needed to write a business report and the software will write the report.  Imagine the amount of time that would be saved by not having to collect information or research data. Also, time and effort would be saved by not having to proof read or formatting your document.  And then imagine if the receiver of the report can chose which technology he wants to use to read the report.  All this may sound twenty-second century, but I believe it’s closer than we think.

New technology is shaping and will continue to shape how we format and deliver business reports in the future. As the globalization of the world continues, so will the demand for pertinent business information to be relay in a timely and concise manner.