Week 5 Journal

This week I started off by studying the assignments involving “case studies”.  I’ve used case studies before in other classes, however this week I read Hammond’s “Learning by Case Study” and found that my initial assumptions of this method of learning were not on target.  I learned that there isn’t a right/ wrong answer.  We’re given a case study to read, digest and allow brainstorming to happen.  If we ask questions during the process than it allows a simple case study assignment to help find answers in others tasks and daily situations.  I also learned what a “mompreneur” is.  It’s a very clever name, however I think the concept behind the idea is the true genius.  In my experience, most mom’s will develop ideas when they run into problems that arise during childrearing.  The simple fact that a toddler’s foot didn’t quite fit the booties available allowed a mom to develop and market a fresh idea that has made millions.  This leads me to another thing I learned this week.  Home-based business doesn’t have to be elaborate.  In fact, one of the benefits of a home-based business is the opportunity for overhead costs to be minimal.  Business hours can be manipulated for availability, anyone with a laptop or smart phone has access to modern day accounting software and leading business organizational materials.  Also, a home-based business can be structured to grow as fast or slow, as big or little as required by the owner and the owner’s family.  Thus, allowing the ultimate control over one’s own business/ financial destiny.

A small business is defined as a business (corporation, limited liability company or proprietorship) with 500 employees or less.  According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.  My wife and I started supporting small, local business many years ago and have found many fond relationships with employees and owners of local shops.  Clearly, by looking at “99.7%”, it’s not hard to deduce that America is built on small business.  Most everyone has access to the tools required to start a small business.  Also, by surfing the SBA’s website I found multiple opportunities to win scholarships or apply for government grants – allowing the startup cost of a small business to be minimal.  Without small business in America, the economy would fail.  I don’t think this is a study in economics, it’s common sense.  In completing research, all business starts with an idea, then funds are found and a business is created.  The majority of these businesses are what employs American citizens.  In my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work many, many times with small business – without their patronage a large, international company like Cummins would falter and die.

In Hammonds article “Learning by the Case Method”, he offers nine suggestions on how we can “get the most” out of the case study process.  Of the nine suggestions, the last week I’ve continually recalled info on #9, which states “Try to better understand and enhance your own management style”.  In my studies this week I’ve reflected often on what kind of “style” I have and how can I improve it.  I’ve been in multiple leadership positions at work and have learned through experience that every employee responds differently to leadership methods.  Some require and grow under a micro-manager.  However, others (like myself) prefer to have management explain the situation and the required outcome – than leave me alone to best fulfil the needs of the company.  I’ve also looked at positions held at church and how I can change and manipulate my current role to best suit all those I work with.  When reading the required case studies for school I find I learn and retain the most info when I assume the role in the case.  By doing this, it helps me to be inflective and open to personal change and development.