Sunday 23 September 2012

Level 6 Assignment 3 Audio Interview

Title & Code of Module                      Communications G30001
Assessment Technique                     Portfolio Of Coursework
Weighing                                             5% (50 divided by 10)
Title                                                      Audio Interview

Guidelines: An interview by the tutor/teacher, on the candidates CV and future career. Duration 3-5 minutes, presented on audio tape.

Assessment Criteria:
Positive Listening, eye contact, 
positive body language, seeking clarification (10)
Answers relevant to questions, contain information (15)
Expansion on answers  (10)
Delivery – clarity, tone, confidence (15)


As a result of the increasingly competitive jobs market in 2011, one of the major factors in determining a successful interview regards how you push your strengths. What makes you different from everyone else? It is an employers market at the moment, where there are plenty to choose from. The same robotic answers just won’t cut it anymore. Make a list of your qualities, get a dictionary and look at different ways to present those qualities. What words can you use to best describe yourself? 

Youtube Video

Successful Telephone Interviews

Uploaded by on 10 Dec 2010
Youtube videos
How to communicate your strengths in a job interview from Howcast
Uploaded by on 20 May 2009

What kind of body language do you want to demonstrate to the interviewer? Do you want to show confidence or shyness? How do you do this with your mannerisms? How can you engage the interview? How will you use eye contact? Here is a video of TV3’s Ireland AM, where MairĂ©ad Fleming of Brightwater Recruitment discusses how 55% of the interview is conveyed through our  body language. 


Top 36 Job Interview Questions and Answers 2010

Uploaded by  on 18 Mar 2010

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Personal Development Useful Websites

Personal Development Module Descriptor
http://fetac.ie/doc/WelcomeServlet?DocId=0901df9e80002717

http://www.personaldevelopment.ie/category/goal-setting/

http://www.personal-development.com/

http://www.thechangeagency.org/01_cms/details.asp?ID=59


The development of learners’

core skills is a key objective of vocational


education and training. The opportunity to develop these skills may arise through

a single module or a range of modules. The core skills include:

  • taking initiative

  • taking responsibility for one’s own learning and progress

  • problem solving
  • applying theoretical knowledge in practical contexts

  • being numerate and literate

  • having information and communication technology skills

  • sourcing and organising information effective ly

  • listening effectively

  • communicating orally and in writing

  • working effectively in group situations
  • understanding health and safety issues
  • reflecting on and evaluating quality of own learning and achievement.


Course providers are encouraged to design programmes which enable learners to

develop core skills.


Unit 1 Personal Development

Unit 2 Working in Changing Environments

Unit 3 Stress Management

Unit 1 Personal Development

Learners should be able to:

10.1.1
interpret the personal qualities and skills required in order to

deliver and improve the provision of a quality service

10.1.2
evaluate the importance of health sector workers exceeding

rather than meeting the expectation of stakeholders

10.1.3
demonstrate the ability to take ownership of tasks and show

initiative in order to achieve their effective completion

10.1.4
devise a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to identify training

deficits and opportunities

10.1.5
use new learning in a positive way for the benefit of the service

10.1.6
analyse feedback (3600) and constructive criticism with a view

to personal development

Unit 2 Working in Changing Environments

Learners should be able to:

10.2.1
develop flexible and adaptable work practices in response to a

changing work environment with due regard for health and

safety

10.2.2
understand the importance of motivating staff in facilitating

change within the service

10.2.3
evaluate the various ways in which organisations manage

change
10.2.4
develop contingency plans in response to varied situations

arising from the pace of change in the health service

10.2.5
assess the impact of change on his/her work practices

10.2.6
evaluate how his/her work sector has responded to change in the

recent past

Unit 3 Stress Management

Learners should be able to:

10.3.1
recognise work based stress

10.3.2
devise strategies for coping with stress, setback and workplace

pressure

10.3.3
develop ways of managing stress effectively and setting

boundaries between the workplace and home

10.3.4
deal with pressure or crisis situations in a professional objective

manner providing focus and direction to others

11 Portfolio of

Assessment

Summary Learner Record 100%
Learner Record
A personal journal will be compiled by candidates.

It will include:

·
assessment and analysis of his/her personal skills, qualities

and knowledge in the work area

·
use of this analysis to identify training deficits and

opportunities in a changing health sector

·
response to training gaps identified by recording the steps

taken (or which could be taken) to address training gaps and

deficits

·
description of how his/her role/s and responsibilities have

changed in response to wider changes in the health sector

·
an evaluation of his/her coping mechanisms in response to

these changes

·
an outline of how s/he developed flexible work strategies to

motivate staff through the pace of change: for example,

conducting a team meeting to introduce a change in work

practices

·
a detailed account of a stressful work-based situation

including an evaluation of the measures taken to manage that

situation

·
a reflection on new learning and experiences suggesting how

these can be of positive benefit to the service


Tuesday 18 September 2012

Identify the main features of the Data Protection Act.


Another form of data protection...


Are there any data protection acts in Ireland?
There are acts such as the data protection act 1988 and 2003 are set up to protect the rights of personal data and to hold account of controllers of data .


Why should I know about this?
This is important to anyone who submits data about themselves on-line to the government, banks, and many other entities on the web. For example if a company obtained information of your personal details without your permission and used it for marketing purposes, you have a right to have your details removed. 

OK, what are my rights?
These rights are obtained from the link below and go into more detail if you click on it.


1.  A person has the right to have your data processed in accordance with the Data Protection Acts.
2.  A person has the right to be informed.
3.  A person has the right to object.
4. A person has the right where a future employer cannot force a future employee of their personal information.
5.  Freedom from automated decision making.
6.  There are rights under Data Protection and Privacy in Telecommunications Regulations
7.  There is the right to have your name removed from a direct marketing list.
8.  People have the right of rectification or erasure.
9.  There is the right to have your name removed from a direct marketing list.
10. Everyone has the right of access.



Click on this link to learn abut the main parts of a data protection act i.e. a person rights:
Are there any examples of data protection violations?
Here is an example in England from 2007:

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/facebook%20data%20protection%20row/1060467.html

Here is another example of violations of false allegations on the internet on the website Twitter.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17512027

Monday 17 September 2012

Level 6 Assignment 2 Formal Business Letter


Title & Code of Module                      Communications G30001
Assessment Technique                        Portfolio Of Coursework
Weighing                                             3% = 30
Title                                                     Formal Business Letter

Guidelines:
The letter should be word processed, following current business conventions, consisting of 2-3 full paragraphs. The letter should reply on behalf of a supervisor/manager within a company to a letter addressed to the company (eg letter of enquiry, of complaint etc).

Assessment Criteria:
Structure – conventions of address, layout, word processed (15)
                     Content, correct use of grammar, spelling punctuation etc (15)

Youtube Video

Life Skills & Writing Letters : How to Address a Business Letter

Uploaded by on 15 May 2009

In terms of the content you should look at: Identify what the purpose of the letter is and who the audience are that you are targeting the letter to.

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Outline the Importance of Data Accuracy when Processing Accounts Data





First you might ask what data accuracy is.

This is how close the results or observations are accepted as being true. For example if a bank had a glitch with keeping its records of people accounts, which meant their customers accounts where giving false balance figures. This could possibly mean their customers would switch to a different bank.

Also money is an important factor when considering data accuracy. Since money goes in and out of a business, the firm needs accurate accounts. If the firm doesn’t have the accuracy in this field of work it could potentially ruin a business. Take for example if an employee is entering figures into the accounts and accidentally adds an extra zero to a figure of €10,000 for vat. The figure would then be €100,000 and scare the owners of the business wondering where this figure came from. While the problem would eventually be picked up, it could cause mass confusion and annoyance for the firm as a whole.




There is also the importance of tracking expenses, debtors, creditors, tax and other dealings which a firm could avoid penalties and might even save some money. If there was a problem when processing of the accounts such as not up to date accurate figures. It might cost the firm in the long run.


Click on these links to see an example of why data accuracy is important:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2012/0623/ireland/ulster-bank-confusion-over-card-system-198518.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-14/china-starts-system-to-raise-data-accuracy-statistics-head-says.html

Process the following transactions: Sales, Purchases, Returns, Payments, Receipts

Sales




What are sales?
For any firm sales are the lifeblood of the company. No sales equals no profit which leads to the company being bust. 
There are two types of sales. Credit sales and cash sales. With cash sales the company obtains the money right away. However with credit sales the company gets the money in theory. In other words it is recorded in the accounts yet actually obtaining the money might take 30-60 days or even longer!



This is the sales process in terms of interacting with the customer



How to process sales?
This starts of with the customer ordering goods/services of a company. At the end of the transaction the company receives the cash from the customer. This is how the process works below. 

Here is the inputs of the sales process.
1. Sales Order. Also known as a SO. This is issued by the company to their customer. 
2. Sales Invoice. This is a bill/document that is issued by the company to its customer. The document states how many products are ordered and the price for those products or services.
3. Remittance Advice. This is a document that informs the company that the customer has paid its bill/invoice. This is of course not mandatory but seen as a act of goodwill to the company.
4. Shipping Notice. This lets the customer know the goods/services are on there way. For example Amazon send emails detailing when the products should arrive to its customers.
5. Debit/Credit memo. This is issued for any sales returns. The debit memo increases the amount that the customer owes if the bill was incorrectly added. The credit memo is exactly the opposite of a debit memo. It reduces the bill of the customer.

Here are the outputs of the sales process.
1. Customer Billing Statement. This is sent to the customer who has received the invoice but has not paid it. This also includes customer activity and sales returns if there is any
2. Accounts Receivable Ageing Report. This is a periodic report that records how long an invoice has being outstanding.
3. Bad debts report. If the customer has not paid the invoice the company must report this as a bad debt.
4. Cash Receipts Forecast. Information is gathered from revenue transactions that will be put into this forecast.
5. Customer Listings. This will detail the customers contacts, billing address and customer codes.

Click on these videos to learn more about the sales process.

The Sales Process




Uploaded by  on 26 Jun 2008



Invoice and Trade Finance Sales Process: How it works





Published on 6 Jun 2012 by 



Purchases



What are purchases?
A purchase is obtaining goods or services acquired by the company to enhance or achieve the objectives of the business. Typically it involves money being exchanged for the good/services.



A diagram of the purchase transaction


What is the purchase process?

1. What does the company need? The company must identify what it need in order to achieve it goals on becoming a well run company. Purchases include machinery, land motor vehicles etc.
2. Research the product/service. The company will research the product/service they are looking for. Research might include on the internet, word of mouth, books etc.
3. Evaluate your options. The company will choose the product/service is right for them and which is not the best product/service. It might be the right product/service is the correct choice for them.
4. Chose which product/service to buy. Once you have chosen the product, there might be several suppliers. The company's job is to pick the right supplier. After this stage the company will put in a purchase order to that supplier. The purchase order will either be paper or electronic based.
5. Purchase the product/service. Once the order is sent, the invoice will be sent by the supplier.
6. Evaluate the purchase. Once the product/service has been purchased the company will evaluate if the choice was the right one or not for the company.

Check out this video to learn the learn steps of the purchase process:

Key steps of the Purchasing Process



Uploaded by  on 13 Sep 2010


Sales and Purchase Returns




Click on this link to learn about sales and purchase returns.


Check on this video to learn more about sales returns:

Sales Returns and Allowances - Ch. 5 Video 6



Uploaded by  on 21 May 2010



View this video to learn more about purchase returns:

Purchase Returns and Allowances- Ch. 5 Video 3



Uploaded by  on 21 May 2010



Receipts




Check this link out to learn about receipts in accounting:



Payments



What are payments?
Payments are used to pay for items that were obtained from another party. 

How can you make payments?
There are a few types of payments. These include cash i.e. physical money which a person can touch such as a bank note or coins. 
Credit can also be used to make payments by using a credit/bank card. You cannot see or touch credit. It is only a number in a bank account.


Click on this link to learn about  the different payment systems:
http://www.slideshare.net/RiteshGoyal/electronic-payment-system

Explain the Advantages of Computerised Accounts over a Manual Accounts System





Click on these link to see the advantages and disadvantages of computerised accounting:
http://simplestudies.com/advantages-of-computerized-accounting.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6370175_disadvantages-computerized-accounting-systems.html

Click on these links below to see the advantages and disadvantages of manual accounting:
http://www.ehow.com/info_8132024_disadvantages-manual-accounting.html

http://www.ehow.com/info_7752775_advantages-manual-accounting-system.html

Here is another useful link to compare computerised and manual accounting:
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-manual-vs-computerized-accounting-4020.html

Check out this video to learn more about computerised accounting:


Computerised Accounting and its Terminology



Published on 7 Jul 2012 by 



Check out this video to see why some accountants don't like manual accounting:


Manual Accounting: A Story of Futility



Uploaded by  on 28 Mar 2007

Produce the Following Financial Statements: A Trading Profit and Loss Account and a Balance Sheet





 A Trading Profit and Loss account

To clear any confusion the word "trading" which is part of the profit and loss account. It is at the beginning of the profit and loss account when calculating the gross profit. Usually we tend not to say the word "trading" but it will be understood by anyone familiar with accounting.

Click on these links to learn more about a Trading Profit and Loss account:
http://www.skoool.ie/skoool/examcentre_jc.asp?id=1749

http://tutor2u.net/business/gcse/finance_profit_and_loss_account.htm

Click on this link to learn how to prepare trading profit and loss accounts:
http://irish21stcenturystudents.blogspot.ie/2012/08/produce-profit-and-loss-account-for.html



Balance Sheet




A balance sheet is also known as a statement of financial position.

Click on this link to see how to produce a balance sheet:
http://irish21stcenturystudents.blogspot.ie/2012/08/produce-balance-sheet-for-following.html


Here are ten things you should know about a balance sheet:
http://www.investinganswers.com/education/financial-statement-analysis/ten-things-you-need-know-about-every-balance-sheet-337


Click on this link to learn more about a balance sheet:
http://www.accountingcoach.com/online-accounting-course/05Xpg01.html

Extract Variances Between Actual and Budget Figures


 How to budget for this type of accident if this actually happened?



What are variances?
Variances are the differences between actual and budgeted figures. It measures the performance of actual and budget figures.




Check out these videos to learn about variances:

Variance Analysis and Budgets: Management Accounting video 33



Published on 12 Apr 2012 by 




Variance Analysis Part 2: Management Accounting video 34



Published on 14 May 2012 by 

Check out these links to learn about actual and budget figures and their variances:
http://www.ehow.com/info_7778947_accounting-budget-vs-actual.html

http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/business-theory/finance/budgeting-and-cash-flow.html