STRATEGY FOR DECISION MAKING

REFLECTIVE LEARNING JOURNAL

DR MICHELLE KILLIAN

CHRIS-MADU AMARACHI

18209629
Dear Diary,
Before my attendance to the class I have never really paid attention to how I make decisions, I was only
aware that I know what I want and I go for it. I write them down and make plans towards it but I never
really understand how important it is to consciously make the decisions that I do make on daily basis and
how it will affect me positively or negatively. I will be learning about business models like Porters five
forces, PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis and value chain analysis.

1ST Class (MARCH 2ND)

The first lecture was very insightful and interesting, I learnt so much about why we act the way we do and
how it influences us consciously and unconsciously and I won’t forget the illustrations that hit me to
realizing that afterwards I am human; the first was and all illustration of how in the morning our brains
are all active and ready to learn and once the afternoon sun hits us by 12 we automatically feel tired and
become worse after we go on break, have lunch and we are back for second section. We feel tired
automatically and sleepy and this is very biological because it is to do with the brain sending signals to
our body and it is very normal. The second illustration had to do with our phones and how just having
them placed on the table in front of us can be a major form of distraction. And even if we do not even get
any notification or ring our mindset is on it in expectation of such and whether we know it or not we are
distracted unconsciously and tempted to easily pick it up for no reason. I learnt that decision making is
important as a manager and should be part of you. You’re either intuitive or rational in thinking, and as a
manager you have to combine both in making decision making. A Book to recommendation is Dan Ariely
“Predictably Irrational”: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decision.

GROUP WORK

We were shared into groups: for rational reasoning and general reasoning and my group was group k (my
group consisted of four members of which I was the only female present and personally I like to be
tagged as a logical thinker) before going to moderate in different groups we identified the type
of decision makers we were and then we went to different groups. The first group I observed was group A
and group B. The group A members were rational reasoning category while the group B were general
reasoning category in the first task. Group B with very valid points were able to convince me that general
reasoning is more effective raising points on how creativity leads to innovations and thinking generally is
more about thinking outside the box because it requires making initial rational reasoning and them going
a little extra after coming up with facts .While group a were able to just back up their points with
emphasis that being factual requires focus and can make results more accurate. After the first task, the
teams were advised to switch decision making and I was assigned to observe group F who went to
rational thinking and group g who went for general reasoning (nothing that they were swapped after the
first task ) in this group I observed that the argument were less and the team members were more
convincing and understanding , it seemed that they were already comfortable with their previous analysis
and struggled to see reason with the present gaining ideas from the previous group analysis . Here the
logical thinkers were able to convince me more as a moderator with their points. After few minutes I was
directed back to my previous team (group A and group B) here the rational thinking was now group b
members and vice versa, And this time everyone’s view were more understanding.

INSIGHTS

 I observed it’s not actually easy to be on one side.

 It is very important to leave both ways of making decisions and working hand in hand with both
ways.
 There is effectiveness in applying everything in decision making; this involves the use of
emotional intelligence, personality tests, and more that could be effective to foster good decisions

2ND CLASS (4TH MARCH)

We were thought on how to think strategically and make our imaginations wild by thinking outside the
box. I understood the concept behind cognitive reasoning always see myself as logical but to my own
surprise I realized my ability to also be creative in my thoughts, my imaginations are quite wild.

GROUP WORK

As a team we were asked to come up with up to 20 things an empty wine bottle could be used for. It was
really interesting as some of the few ideas we came up with were to be used as: a rolling pin, a lamp, ice
breaker during events, decorations and so much more.

INSIGHTS
 This session made me realize that sometimes you really need to sit and think beyond your
imaginations and you will be surprised how innovative you can get.
 Team work is really great and sharing ideas can be very insightful, I was really surprised to hear
the ideas people in the lass came up with using, condoms, empty CDs, and empty pizza boxes.
  I also observed that when I am in a team I tend to actually come up with great ideas realizing that
everyone has to bring something to the table.

3RD CLASS (6TH MARCH)

In today’s class we made analysis to the case study given to us on scandic hotel. We used the porters five
forces analysis, and this module emphasized on how relevant the analysis is to an organization. We were
thought on how important it is to share information with staffs of an organization and to ensure that
everyone’s mission and vision is aligned to ensure that the organizations goals and objectives are being
met. Using the description of guiding path and driving path: the structure and strategy in an organization.
I went ahead to watch Steve Jobs strategy speech and it was quite insightful.

GROUP WORK

We were asked to write down one strength and one weakness we all possess in the group and after doing
so we should share with our team mates and compile both our strengths and weakness then create a career
for the imaginary team mate that possess all the strengths and weakness we all had. My group consisting
of five members had our strengths as:

 bringing synergy and collectiveness

 good listener
 business mindset
 people management
 RCAS
Weaknesses are:
 Late in written communication
 Public speaking
 Too optimistic
 Too slow
 Reserving comments
we created a 6th imaginary group member and after this outline we all put heads together to name him
Jesus and his occupation will be an Entrepreneur or a photographer or a zoo keeper because of the
features which he possesses.
INSIGHTS
  Basically I am aware now that if I restrict my thinking I would never be able to think of creative
ideas, I need to think beyond my imaginations.

4TH CLASS (9TH MARCH)

We talked about the macro environment analysis of an organization using pestle analysis.

They are being affected by factors resulting from nature of change which is government price protection,
impact of change which is when the profit margins decrease, small players drop due to high prices.

GROUP WORK

Using Nespresso as a point of Study, and I and my team mates in group k (name of group) came up with
our analysis in respect to the following

Nature of change: Government price protection

Impact of change: profit margin decrease and small players drop due to high price
Opportunity/threat: opportunity
Strategic response: keep the price to sustain margin or create large quantities so they can get cheaper rates
or increase prices so that other players will also increase theirs and also drop out.

INSIGHTS
 I also learnt that it is very important to think about alternative scenarios when analyzing the
internal and external environment In an industry.
 In the cause of the Nespresso analysis I also understood that innovation does not always mean
creating new products but using what already exists to create new ideas. And a good example is
how Nespresso converted their aluminum pods to be recycled and turned to very expensive
aluminum bicycles. We were also educated on the STEEPLE analysis with the addition of ethics.
 It is important to scan the environment and make contingency plans about what you think might
happen. In this session, while analyzing Scandic hotel, my teammates and I decided to use the
present Corona virus outbreak to analyze the macro environment using pestle analysis. The class
atmosphere was quite intense and I picked one advice given by the lecturer to hold on to. From
henceforth because there’s an epidemic in the world doesn’t mean I should be anxious because
 things like this are inevitable and in the past people have survived wars and similar situations like
this, so heading forward it will be wise to see it as an opportunity rather than a threat.

5TH CLASS (11TH MARCH)

Today we talked about the internal analysis of the organization; it’s the process of finding out the
resources and capabilities the firm has and if they are the best fit for surviving in the firms industry. We
looked at the structural based view and the strategy based view .also an organization has its unique
configuration which is its unique way in which the stuff you’re really good at is being combined with
available skills so give your organization a competitive advantage. And someone asked a very good
question : what if it’s unidentifiable, which is even more of an advantage that means your competitors
will not even get to know your secret and it means there’s something you’re doing well probably how
services are rendered as long as it’s hard to imitate . It’s all based on the dynamics between the people
and the activities in the organization. In doing the internal analysis of an organization every staff is
important and their opinions are always needed because they are all of different values and views on how
they believe. React and respond to businesses, it is very crucial as a manager to be able to manage and
evaluate your staffs according to their thoughts and abilities. The importance of economic value was also
emphasized and how values increase on every step from commodity to services leading to customization
for customers. Every customer appreciates personalized experiences and this is one of the reasons why
the potters five forces model doesn’t really work these days.

We further discussed on competitive advantage which is when you create a difference between your
organization and other organizations in an industry. This is identified when you create better goods and
services which enable you to create more value for your goods to the customers. When purchasing your
product or services, customers identify the cost and the benefits of the products. The value which is being
delivered is the difference between what they perceive to be the Cost or the benefits.

INSIGHTS

 I learnt about the sources of competitive advantages and further discuss the game theory.
 I understood that value chain activities which are the activities in the organization that help the
organization to run effectively and help them sustain a competitive advantage.
 I also learnt about distinctive competitiveness (Zara brand) Strategy is not science, and certain
capabilities give you a competitive advantage in the long run. It is the combination of all the
 things you do right in an organization inclusive of your skills, management that gives you a
competitive advantage.

6TH CLASS (13TH MARCH)

This Session was something out of the norm as we had to take this as online class using the module chat
forum and power point slides.

INSIGHTS
 I learnt that communication is important and it is unavoidable. Despite the inability to attend
classes we were not restricted to having access to information intended for us as students.

CONLUSION

Truthfully this is has to be my most interesting Module since I started my masters, it has made me realize
why I make the decisions I make and going further why I need to be strategic in making decisions
generally when it comes to my personal life as well as my business life. My team experience has also
been strengthened, I loved my team mates they were made up of Indians and one Irish and I was really
challenged being the only female in the group, I felt confident while bringing ideas to the table that were
acknowledged and I learnt a lot form everyone and how to be more understanding because everyone has
strengths and weaknesses and its worth respecting. I cannot wait to apply this in future while I find myself
in different scenarios where I have to make decisions on things to be done.