A survey conducted by Business Software Alliance (BSA) in 2011 depicts that seven out of 10 softwares in the Philippines is unlicensed. The survey would evidently suggest that software piracy is rampant in our country. Even after eight years from the said survey, this is most likely to be held true up to this day. It’s sad that this practice is deemed acceptable in our culture and the government has not ultimately addressed the issue.

Although the number of pirated users in the country is evidently high, we cannot really blame them since it’s an accepted practice. Moreover, the price of the original software contributes heavily on this regard. It may be ideal that we promote and purchase original product, but it would be costly in the event of reformatting a computer, or computers, in an organization’s case.  

Putting a total stoppage of this activity may take a while for the software companies and would probably take a very tedious IT-related security measures. Users might be encouraged to continue using original software if they would come up with a package that could allow users to continue using the software for a number of years even if they opt to reformat their computers whenever they deem necessary. The ultimate goal should be pushing the market to purchase original software and discourage people to pirate and illegally distribute them.

Software companies may conduct a market study on how they can sell original software in developing countries like the Philippines. This would help these countries to have the same technology and knowledge thereof and be able to keep up with the first world countries. Moreover, making software available for everyone, by lessening cost constraints, would not only profit the companies but the users as well.

Sources: https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/15/12/7-out-10-software-ph-pirated-survey

Every organization has their own version of internal controls as well as a culture within the company. Some may be similar to with others in the same industry, some may be far different. These culture and controls may be anything as long as they meet the organization’s goals and objectives. As the organization grows, the management along with the employees articulate and develop certain set knowledge on how to effectively run and work the company.

In our organization, where technical skills are a basic must, but would not be sufficient if the employee fails to understand the firm’s operations. One of the tasks would include negotiating with different people in different private and public offices.  Dealing with different set of people would be difficult if one would only stick with his technical skills. It’s something what the senior staff possess as tacit knowledge. It would difficult to write down this skill as it embodies different unique people under different unique circumstances.

One way or another, knowledge management is being practiced in our organization. Senior staff gradually introduces communication techniques to newbies as the need arises, either to give them a head’s up, a lesson or both. It’s beneficial for the organization the overall flow of the operations would not be compromised even when the new-hires are tasked to negotiate and it would unload some tasks from the senior staff for them to focus on other equally important tasks.

The only barrier I could think of is that when the new-hire do not recognize the importance the knowledge being imparted to him or when the new hire has very low communication skill and self-esteem. The latter scenario would be a problem if the matter is denied or would not be addressed and corrected by the person itself.  Although it has never happened, so far, since most our new-hires are fresh graduates who are very much willing to do anything for experience.

Being a senior staff imposes a certain degree of power within the organization over the new-hires. These set of knowledge are important and essential within the organization so when they are shared, it helps boosts the morale of the newbies. Giving them a degree of trust and responsibility over time helps them appreciate their job further and thus doing their best at their work means giving their best to the organization.

Internet and wireless communication is everywhere nowadays, and one way or another we use the technology to ease our day-to-day lives.  We are now able to, among many others, communicate through calls using our smartphones, teleconferencing and instant messaging applications; comply with deadlines with paperless submissions through emails and other similar media; and complete transactions without being physically available.

As a service-oriented organization, we cater and attend to our client’s needs which usually means making sure their monthly compliance with government offices are being met. To make sure we satisfy our clients’ needs, internet has always been great help in for the organization.

Communication is made faster through a lot media. There are times that we would encounter circumstances when an information is needed as soon as it arises and that further delay could be a detriment to the client, a quick phone call would solve the matter. This would be a lot practical and easier than sending a formal letter or physically meet with the client. Because communication is made faster, information are easily transferred from one person to another.

Compliance could also be met efficiently through emails. Important documents could be passed through emails and sending them to the appropriate receiver. Delays could well be avoided especially in our company where it could mean a detriment to our client’s records.

Finally, many of the transactions can be done with a computer or online which do not require us to actually leave the office. This is convenient for us since we could finish multiple transactions in a day and still be at the comfort of our office seats.

Overall, the internet and wireless connection help our organization to be able to handle and satisfy engagement with our clients. Of course we still have a lot of room for improvement, but through these advantages of the internet we can deliver our role effectively.

Effective managers see to it that their companies meet the desired goals and objectives. In order to do this, managers should be capable of respecting their subordinates, can communicate effectively and efficiently manage constraints. These traits could also be applied when participating in Information Systems decision-making.

Adapting information systems within the company would mean adapting a lot of changes in the organization. If these changes would help the company in achieving its goals and objectives, a good manager would positively welcome the possibilities. Adaptation of information systems would require tedious process and during this process, managers are expected to participate actively.

Not all managers are expert or have background in information system, but it does not equate that they cannot participate in IS decisions.  My top three characteristics of an effective manager could help managers actively participate in information system decisions;

Managers should respectful of their subordinate and other employees so the latter would be able to respect them in return. Managers should be respectful of the strengths and weaknesses of other employees. He should be able to give credit where credit is due. This would lead to a healthy working relationship with other employees. People would then feel more involved and participate positively in achieving the organization’s goals which is also the same target of managers.

Managers should also communicate their thoughts effectively. It is always advisable that managers raise their concerns or thoughts during a decision-making process or activity. He should make sure that the information system is designed to enhance the organization’s operations and it is aligned in its goals and objectives.

Lastly, a manager should be able to manage time given to him. A manager sees to it that the organization is going to its expected direction but is always faced with constraints. Adapting information system comes with time constraint and it is the responsibility of the manager to see through that conditions are met and would not incur delays that could be a detriment to the company.

The decisions made in information systems could come in many forms but managers are bound to make sure that the organization benefits from these decisions. The whole decision-making process would be easier if managers can openly communicate to other employees involved in the process with mutual respect, which would eventually help them come up with efficient and effective results.

In these fast-paced times where information can be shared easily, competition in the organization becomes heightened as ever. Not adopting information technology in our organization might lead to the detriment of the company. In this generation where social media technology is everywhere, Information system will greatly help organizations everywhere.

To keep up with competitors and the customer demands, an organization must adopt information technology. For the business to continue, we must apply changes within the company in the form of information system through strategic planning. Although some people in the organization would surely resist the change that is about to happen, the management must be committed in applying IT in the organization. For the adaptation process to ease out in the organization, we must inform, educate and help the commit to the changes.

Imagine a new organization, a hotel, plans to accommodate 1,000 clients in the first quarter of the year and would eventually realize sales amounting to P100,000.  Information system could help realize these goals. When we adopt IS in this organization, monitoring the actual number of clients who have visited the hotel would be possible. The client’s billing would be accurate and appropriate to avoid conflicts and confusion, hence, would result to realize the actual amount of sales during the period. All these are possible with the help of information system and social media. Wouldn’t it be nice to invest in something that could greatly help the management?

Adopting information system within the company should be carefully planned as this would need the use of resources, an investment that if planned well could become a great asset in the organization. When a well-planned information system is implemented and used in the organization, there is likely to be positive changes in the following: customer delight, superior sales growth, financial excellence, employee excellence and business process improvement.

Growing up, I have always wondered how businesses continue to exist throughout the year, despite the rapid change in people’s wants and needs. I’ve always wondered how great businessmen run their company, how they think and consistently be on the top. Now that I’m currently working with local businessmen, I realized the answer to my question: Managers have to reinvent their products and services to stay in the market.

I am always fascinated with technology, and I can still remember when I first held a Nokia phone. The Nokia 5110 was the most amazing thing I ever saw as a kid. You can make a call, send short messages and it has games! Nokia was the top choice for so long, I thought they’d be that way forever. Until touchscreen phones were introduced, and eventually the smartphones by Apple and Samsung took over the market, Nokia phones couldn’t keep up.

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I personally think that the management somehow resisted the change that was imminent in the market and when they decided to go along, it was too late.

What happened to Nokia in the past years gives a lesson to many of us: that, as managers, we shouldn’t be too complacent and confident because of the market share we have now. Continuous learning and reinventing must be adapted in our workplaces, no matter the industry, for us to maintain our survival and existence.

According to LEAD Innovation Management, for innovation to happen and practised in the workplace, managers, as a whole, should be an architect, promoter and gatekeeper.

Manager as an architect for innovation is responsible for all the possible conditions needed for the innovations be successfully created in the company.

The top management, board of directors, should be promoters of innovation so that they could influence the people in the company to adapt changes as it happens. Their influence is important so as to resolve conflict from those who resist in innovation.

Managers as gatekeepers of innovation have decisive influence and control of the success of innovation activities as they are responsible for important strategic decisions in the innovation process.

In a fast-paced society and where our generation is well introduced with the internet and social media, the wants and needs of the market is fast-changing and evolving intensively. For a business entity to survive and keep up with the market’s demand, it has to innovate and reinvent itself indefinitely.

References: https://www.lead-innovation.com/english-blog/roles-in-innovation-management

https://www.google.com/search?q=iphone+evolution+timeline&client=opera&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3ut_DgY7gAhXGE4gKHU8TArAQ_AUIDigB&biw=1326&bih=627#imgrc=bCV7Dl77cYc5VM:

I work as an accountant in a local firm here in Iloilo City and a part-time college instructor at the same time in one of the known universities in the cities. Both jobs require me to communicate with people on a daily basis as they require a lot of paperwork and deadlines, all at the same time. It’s challenging and sometimes very tiring, but I get through my tasks with the help of computers, social media and, above all, the internet.

Thanks to these technologies and platforms, I can provide information and meet deadlines even though I might not be physically available. There may be times that my boss would need a specific information, while I am at a client meeting, I could easily send her the file from my laptop to her email address. Another scenario would be what I practice with my college students, I send their learning materials in our private through social media where they could just download the file and provide themselves a copy.

A lot of time were saved whilst accomplishing a lot of tasks in a short amount of time. Technology makes my life a bit easier and faster. The time saved in work, gives me extra time for myself and for the people I care about. Like, when I’m at the office and my father asked me to buy to run some errands after sending me the details, I can decide earlier and communicate faster if I can do the task or not. Other times, I can go home early if my tasks for the day are completed early which gives me extra time to rest or for my family.

I.T. is a big part of my life, especially in my work. With the help of my laptop and smartphone, I can save and store in files and answer real-time through email or social media, which is crucial especially in decision-making. Since information in work are easily forwarded and tasks can be complied faster, I.T. gives us extra time for ourselves, which could be used for recreation or to comply with other work, if there are any.

I would always say, “Thank God, for technology” because it saves me money and time. This may stand true to many of us, especially those whose work require a lot of paperwork and needs to store a lot of information of different people. Information Technology is a big help and has allowed me to perform multiple tasks in a short time while earning myself a good impression for my boss.

🙂

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton