Chapter 5...

- - Concept and brief description: Planning for and Recruiting Human Resources
This chapter was mainly about how to hire the right people, where to find them and what kind of person you want for the position. There is so much to look at in order for employment to run smoothly. It is important for HR to set goals and complete them in a timely manner. By doing this the company will stay on task and be successful.

- - Emotional hook:
The emotional hook I had with this chapter was reading that one in three positions are filled with insiders. I found that really interesting, it's so important to find a company you do want to work for and find a beginning job and continue to work your way up. This is one of the best ways to work your way up to upper management.

- - Key points:
I think some of the main points from this chapter include: a business truly knowing what it's goals are, making a plan and accomplishing those goals. By having clear goals HR will know what kind of people to hire for what position and where to hire from.

- - Facilitative Questions:
It was said that one in three positions are filled with insiders. Why is it that 66% of people are hired externally? Wouldn't it be easier to fill spots internally? If you hire from inside those people know the company and it's goals already.

January 27 Reflection

Today the thing that really hit me was what an influence HR has on the whole company and how smoothly it works together. I know I mentioned that in my Chapter 4 summary but it has left a huge impression on me. HR really can either help make or break a company, simply by who they hire for each position. It is so important to choose a good HRM to help make the company successful.

Chapter 4

- - Concept and brief description:
Analyzing Work and Designing Jobs. In this chapter it really discusses what an impact HR has on the whole flow of the company. They basically help make sure the company runs smoothly in all aspects. They make sure that the right people are in the right positions and that the right jobs are set into place. They also make sure that the jobs that are in place are actually accomplishing the right outcome and helping the company be more successful.

- - Emotional hook:
I think what I found most interesting is how involved with the whole work flow process HR really is. Since I'm considering going into HR I was surprised to see what an impact they have on all the jobs and set ups in the company.

- - Key points:
The main points in this chapter were definitely focused on job structure, specification, description, etc. It's amazing how much falls on the shoulders of HR.

- - Facilitative Questions:
I've described how much HR has to do with jobs and set up. Does each company decide how the training and leadership will be split up between management and HR?

Reflection 1/26/10

Today we basically just reviewed chapter 3 and went over the laws and acts that deal with the workplace. It was amazing going through the chapter and realizing how many different laws HR has to be concerned with. Most of the acts and laws are common and well known but there are a few that I have never even heard of. I'm really enjoying finding out more and more what HR really does and has to know.

1/20/10 Reflection

Today we talked about internal and external labor forces. It was interesting to discuss the different strengths and weaknesses of both. It is very important when hiring for the company to consider what direction they want the business to go in. Do they want to continue to keep the same flow of things and same ideas, or do they want to change things up a bit and get some fresh ideas flowing through the company? I think this also goes hand in hand with employee empowerment and engagement because the company needs to be able to trust their employees in order to let them have a little freedom in the business and make their own decisions. If they can not trust their employees the company will fall apart.

Chapter 3

- - Concept and brief description
Providing equal employment opportunity and a safe workplace: This chapter was explaining how the laws, rules and regulations that HR needs to know in order for a company to make sure the things they are doing are legal and acceptable. I thought this was an interesting concept to bring up because I didn't realize what an intense part of HR knowing all the laws actually was. It is so important for HR to closely watch what is going on in a company in order for them to avoid big lawsuits and complaints. I think just making sure employees are aware of what things are and are not acceptable plays a huge roll in preventing problems.

- - Emotional hook
Think back at all the times you are hanging out and someone says an inappropriate joke, do you and others laugh? This can be considered sexual harassment and we need to be really careful about what we say and laugh at.

- - Key points
It is so important for us to know know the laws and regulations to avoid getting caught up in lawsuits dealing with discrimination and harassment. These occurrences are quite common in the workforce but need to be avoided. HR really need to know the laws to help prevent this.

- - Facilitative questions
What is the best way prevent discrimination and harassment? What is the best way to track incidences of this occurring?

Reflection 1/13/09

Today in class I found it really interesting what a big difference human capital can make in a company. After watching the Pike Place Fish video it really made me think how important good managers are. The manager has such a big influence over the company and can change the attitude of employees and either make or break the company. These workers were certainly not working in glamorous jobs, but because they had good supervisors they wanted to be the best they could be and because of that it is now a world known fish market. I think this is so important for us to realize now so that we can be successful in helping companies that we will work with in the future.

Introduction...

My name is Casey Brandt. I'm the oldest of four children and love my family so much. I'm currently a junior here at Utah Valley University, and am majoring in Business Management. Before coming up to UVU I attended Dixie State College where I got my associates of business. I was raised in St. George and love it down there. I love all the beautiful scenery, the warm weather and all the fun things there are to do outdoors. I've never had to deal with the snow, ice and cold so moving up here has been a big transition for me. I've had a lot of fun though and am slowly getting used to the cold.
Some of my favorite things to do are; hang out with friends and family, do crafts, play golf and pickle ball, travel and take pictures. I'm a very easy going person and love to laugh and have a good time. I'm pretty adventurous and like to try new things.
I'm currently not working and just focusing on school. After graduation I hope to be able to find a good reliable job and see where life takes me. I'm Happy to be going to school and getting a degree so that I can have a solid foundation in my life and work work when needed, but I hope to one day be a stay at home mom.
I'm excited to be taking this Human Resource class because lately I've really been considering going into HR. By the end of the semester I hope to have a better feel of what I'd be getting myself into and decide if this is the path I want to continue down.
That's a little about me... Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Chapter 2

- -Concept and brief discussion:
I found chapter 2 to be quite interesting, because we are watching the things it talked about come true. One of these being, the aging workforce. This is something that is so true during this stage in our economy. Many older people are not retiring as early as they would have thought a few years back, as well as others coming back to work. Another interesting thing it talked about how technology is greatly effecting businesses and especially HR. The economy has also played a huge effect on how HR is run. Now a huge concern for HR is on retirement, health care of employees and also downsizing.

- -Emotional hook:
With the way things are in the economy and the effect it is having on businesses will HR become a largely used key factor in businesses? Will there be more HR jobs available?

- -Key points to elicit in discussion:
With the economy changing so much, it is changing everything in businesses; from how they are run, the technology that is used to the benefits and needs of the employees. HR can help keep this transition smooth and easy to cope with.

- -Facilitative questions:
What does HR have to do with all these changes in businesses?