Year 2
Advisory skills period 1
A good facility manager needs good advisory skills. Most of these kinds of subjects I like. The case practicing is kind of awkward, but it is interesting. We learn how lead a good conversation and specifically for here about advising your client. One of the ways I like to do such a conversation is really with emotion, I want to know how they feel and consider that. In my dad this seems like good plan, but most of the time I am too soft and considerate.
Negotiation skills period 2
This is harder than it sounds/looked. I realized that in day-to-day things you already negotiate, but these ‘role plays’ are different. We had to think about our minimum or maximum offer, what we could give away for free, but also what the opponent wants to achieve with the bid. During the first lecture we did a self-test to know what negotiation strategy suits you. Most people use a principled approach and my strategy was jovial cooperative. With these strategies you are on the more cooperative side while still doing business.
We now also had the 2nd and last lecture about negotiating. During this lecture we had a small recap of the first one, a self-test about negotiating skills and another role play. This role play we had to use for the final assignment of the reflection report.
Iterative design
Like mentioned under the project we had to use a Scrum method. We used a Trello board. This is the way we organized it: a collum for each team member, a general to do list, done, things to divide, group contract/ documents and questions.
At the end of the first period, we had to do a presentation on how we applied scrum. As said, we used Trello, so that is what we showed and explained why we inserted certain columns. During the presentations of the other groups, we got some good ideas to use in the next period. Overall, I think it was a useful subject even though I hadn’t thought that at first. Another part of these lectures was about design thinking. At the end of January, we present our project with the steps of design thinking. This lecture was very different from the other, because we got to do crafts. It was kind of odd at the beginning but in the end, I enjoyed it. The first part was about creativity, and we got assignments to draw certain things. In the second part we had to come up with a solution to something and make a prototype with it. There was a big box of supplies we got to use.
Pitch training period 2
The second period has just started and for the project we need to give a pitch. It was a very useful workshop/lecture. During the workshop the layout of a pitch was explained, and we also used it in practice to make a first pitch idea. The 3 phases she explained were very helpful, because I have no experience with giving a pitch in this (professional) setting. Something I noticed is that when we gave the pitch I stumbled on my words because off the time pressure. Thankfully for the pitch at the end of the week we get a little longer then 1,5 minutes.
She explained that the first 11 seconds are the most important and that you must grab the attention of the audience. There is a model/phrase that you can use for the first part. MIOSSS: Main Idea in one Single Sexy Sentence.
In the next part you tell your solutions and 3 strong arguments, also think of counter arguments beforehand so you are prepared.
Then finally in the last part you need to focus on call to action, so a good end that makes the audience want to ‘book’ you for the project.
We now already have a good basis for the pitch on Friday so that is nice, and we will work it out further.
The day of the pitch. During the rest of the week w finalized the pitch. Unfortunately, the day of the pitch did not go as planned. The plan was that all 4 of us would say something but 2 teammates were not present, so we had to do it with 2 people instead of 4.
Besides all this the pitch went fine. We got some good feedback from this to work on further in our solutions.
Intercultural competences
This is a follow up from intercultural awareness of last year. So far it is mostly about culture differences and shocks. For one of the final sessions, we had to conduct interviews with people from another culture. With the information from those interviews, we had to make an interactive workshop to ‘solve’ cultural differences or to make others aware of them. During the interview I noticed that other cultures are way less punctual and hierarchy in the office is also different in other cultures. For the final lecture we made an interactive workshop. We combined the interviews and looked at what ‘incidents’ r cultural differences came back. With this information we made a bingo card. During the workshop everyone got a card and a little card with a term on it, then they had to walk around and had to give the definition of the term on the card. If they got it correct, they could cross it off on the card and take the little card. This way it was not only a fun round of bingo, but also a learning moment.
HR
This semester it was about a job application interview and bad new conversations. In my head I always think that I am pretty good at conversations and interviews, but it is harder in practice. This is mostly because you get a case in class, and you need to have that conversation in pairs. When I gave more time to prepare it goes better. For the final assignment we need to prepare for a job interview and bad news conversation. At the moment we enter the classroom for the oral we hear what conversation we are going to have.
Year 1
Research
Semester 1
This week (week 6) we needed to have a draft of our first literature report. I found it difficult to begin the writing of the report, but after some help of my father it was fine. What I learned so far from this report is that you need to break it up into little pieces. At first, I saw it as one big report. Once I made a mind map of each sub question it was much easier. I now am at the end of writing the first report. Something in noticed is that I use the Dutch sentence structure. I really liked writing my first report and now I know for a next time what I find difficult. During these lectures we learned how to search for articles related to our subject and how to see if it is a good source. For finding articles that relate to your subject you can use search strings. in these strings you can use And, Or to pt between the search words. If you use and it will look at articles with both words given and with or it also gives with both words, but also word with either one or the other.
We also learned to look for good related sources. this can be done in different ways by looking if it is valid and reliable but also with the CRAAP method. the CRAAP method stands for, Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose. I made a table with all my sources and this abbreviation and looked at these things for every source. You can also look at the reliability and validity, reliability means how consistent the source is and validity is how accurate the source is.
Semester 2
This was mostly the same as last time. We had a workshop from someone from the library. During the workshop we refreshed all the things we learned in the previous research report. The refresh was very nice (and needed). The search strings were helpful because you get sources with multiple subjects, terms that you are looking for. In the first few steps of writing the report it is mostly about research and finding sources. I found out while writing that some of my found sources were not the right fit, so I had to look for another one. This I did by changing the search strings or dates form the sources.
After we submitted the first version, we got it back with some feedback to implement. From this is learned that I can both write to little but sometimes also to extended.
For the project we also had to do research. I tried to look for sources that relate to Manchester since that is the city we choose, like websites from the uk. For the project specifically it was nice to right down all the subjects that came to mind and sorting them out later.
Business English
Semester 1
Reflection on audio/meeting:
I need to try to speak more confident. I tried to listen to the others and their ideas.
I need to think about a sentence beforehand so less uhm.
Dialang test: score 679, Vocabulary -B2, Structure- C1, Reading B1, Writing A2, Listening C1.
To improve some of the scores I wil be taking an Academic English course next semester and read more in English overall. During the lectures we learned terms and sentences that can be used during a professional conversation. We also applied this in a few conversation exercises which are a little bit awkward to do but, practice makes perfect. I also discovered that everyone has a filling word, for most people this is ‘like’. For me I think it is ‘ so yeah’ or ehh. I will be working on this to make presentations smoother.
Here are 2 writing assignments we had to do, first you will she the first version and after that the improved version with peer feedback.
Assignment 1:
Memo shoplifting. Target group: employees
Aim: Make the costumers less intimidated by the guards. (informing)
I have been informed that many costumers are intimidated by our new guards. We hired the guards because of the increase of shoplifting, but this measure has shown to have had an impact on the sales of our products.
Although the guards may seem like a good solution for the shoplifting, but we need to think of something else that does not have impact on the sales. Some solutions can be: dressing the guards in ‘normal’ every day clothes, let the guards do a course on costumer friendliness. Some reasons for shoplifting can be: not having the money, being young and rebellious or it is to easy not to do it. I think that if there is a good security system that this will be less, but than again the standard guards drive the costumers away.
After feedback:
Memo shoplifting. Target group: employees
Aim: Make the costumers less intimidated by the guards. (informing)
Many shops noticed that the last few weeks there is an increase of shop lifting. Many shops are making sure to minimalize this. We hired guards because of the increase of shoplifting, but this measure has shown to have had an impact on the sales of our products. I have been informed that many customers are intimidated by our new guards. Although the guards may seem like a good solution for the shoplifting, the solution to increasing the shoplifting should not have an impact on the sales. Some solutions could be dressing the guards in ‘normal’ everyday clothes, having the guards do a course on costumer friendliness. Some reasons for shoplifting can be, not having the money, being young and rebellious or it is too easy not to do it. If there is a good security system in place, the shoplifting will decrease, but then again, the standard guards drive the customers away. Therefore, we must think of another solution
Assignment 2:
Email to CEO- informing, target group is the CEO.
Hello CEO,
Last week I had a meeting with my team regarding the moving of the factory. After a long discussion we came to the conclusion that we are moving the staff. The decision is based on different reasons. First of all in the new building there is a open plan, this is good for the relations and communication. This new place is also good for team building, this can be done in the lounges. The lounges are also good for brainstorm, but also to relax in during your break. Another reason is the town it is really beautiful and cozy with nice a countryside. Lastly we also thought of the staff that does not want to drive all the way to Beauchamp. The town has good hotels and rental places but are not that expensive.
I hope that the decision is clear to you.
Kind regards,
Lisa Stolk
After feedback:
Email to CEO- informing, target group is the CEO.
Hello CEO,
Last week I had a meeting with my team regarding the move of the factory. After a long discussion we came to the conclusion that we are moving forward with moving the staff’. The decision is based on different reasons. First of all, in the new building there is an open plan. This is good for the relations and communication. The new location is also good for team-building. This can be done in the lounges, which are also a good place to brainstorm. However, one can also relax there during a break from work. Another reason is the town. It is really beautiful and cozy with nice a countryside. Lastly, we also thought of the staff that does not want to drive all the way to Beauchamp. The town has good hotels and rental places that are affordable.
I hope that the decision is clear to you.
Kind regards,
Lisa Stolk
Semester 2
Over the past 2 periods my English has developed in speaking, reading and in writing. I think that the biggest difference is when I am presenting, then you can really hear a difference.
Unfortunately, I was not able to do the Academic English course. This was because it was in the evening, and my energy does not allow that.
I read more books in English. That is how I practice with reading and overall, when I read something in English, I look up the words I do not understand.
Something I noticed is that I also think in English more.
To improve my English and vocabulary I watched series and movies with either English subtitles or non at all.
During the last period I helped a classmate with her thesis about accessibility. For this we went to the Forum and academic library. When we were in the bus we talked a lot, this was of course in English. It became easier during the conversations to come up with words. It was a nice experience and good for my English.
Assignment 3
Aim: Clarify the things we agreed to.
Hello doctor Jones
This is an email regarding our meeting yesterday. Our meeting was about negotiating over the Booglie fruit. At first we ere a bit hesitant about your offer. This was because if we agreed to that, we would only have the money and no fruit. The money was not necessarily the thing we needed. After a few minutes of negotiating we were at the point of making a deal when we realized that we both want different things from the fruit. Once it was clear what the wanted it was an easy deal, because we wanted the peal and you the juice. We agreed to share the fruit for the peal and juice and we each pay 250.000. It was very nice doing business with you
After feedback:
Doctor Jones,
This is an email regarding our meeting yesterday. Our meeting was about negotiating over the Booglie fruit. At first, we were a bit hesitant about your offer for money and you getting the fruit. This was because if we agreed to that, we would only have the money and no fruit. The money was not necessarily the thing we needed. After a few minutes of negotiating, we were at the point of making a deal when we realized that we both wanted different parts of the fruit. Once it was clear what both parties wanted, it was an easy deal. We wanted the peal, and you wanted the juice. We agreed to share the fruit and to each pay 250.000. Pleasure doing business with you.
Kind regards,
Lisa Stolk
Kind regards,
Lisa Stolk
Assignment 4
Complaint of diverted flight
The aim is to make sure that the costumer feels seen and that we provide a solution to them
The target group are the people that were on this flight and had a bad experience.
writing style- I tried to be understanding and let them know that they are heard.
Good morning miss/sir,
I am sorry to hear about your experience with or airline. We take all our costumers serious. We totally get your complaint and frustration, although part of this situation was out of our control. Here is what we can do for you. We are going to pay everyone 50% back and get you a coupon for the lounge next time you will fly with us. Also, we are making sure that those employees get extra training and have a good conversation with them about this situation. I hope that this helps you enough and again we are very sorry that you experienced your flight this way.
Kind regards,
Lisa Stolk
After feedback:
Good morning miss/sir
I am sorry to hear about your experience with our airline. We take all our costumers serious. We totally get your complaint and frustration, although part of this situation was out of our control. Here is what we can do for you. We are going to give everyone a 50% reimbursement and you will receive a coupon for the lounge next time you will fly with us. Also, we are making sure that those employees get extra training and we will have a serious conversation with them about this situation. . I hope that this helps you enough and again, we are very sorry that you experienced your flight this way.
Kind regards,
Lisa Stolk
Presentation skills
Semester 1
Something in noticed during the workshops is that posture is important and for me I need to figure out what works sitting down. It was nice to hear that the volume of my voice is good. I really like to add a personal touch to a presentation with an own experience. I think it really helped that I had already done a few presentations and interviews ( you can see them under leisure activities). At the end of January (2025) I am giving a guest lecture for the students from the study occupational therapy at Wiebenga, this will be a good practice, although it will be in Dutch.
This is a photo from the guest lecture. It was a great experience and I learned that I do not always need a paper or cards in my hands. If I speak about my own experiences it will just come to me. I would definitely do it again.
Semester 2
For this period, we focus on persuasion. Later in your job it is important to get your client on board with your idea. I noticed that the deference between information and convincing in a presentation is hard to make as presenter. When preparing for the final presentation I tried to accentuate certain words to sound convincing. My text was way too long in the beginning, so I had to shorten it.
16th of June: we just had our final presentation. Overall, it went well and being able to convince someone takes time and practice. Here are some things I could have implemented. I could have used the tool of consensus with saying that the automated systems we are suing are tested and used before many times in the UK. Or 55% of the offices in Manchester already use activity-based working.
For continuity is could have referred to money and energy saving as goal.
Personal leadership
On the 28th of November we had a meeting about the progress of the portfolio.
Some tips that I think will be very helpful for me are asking AI to make a mock exam for People and Organization, plan blocks in your agenda to study but not specifically what you are going to do. (this you can decide at the time). Lastly a very important tip for me is, just as the question do not be afraid.
Now at the end of the first semester I can say that it really helps if you ask AI for a mock exam. When it comes to planning I still use blocks, but I like to block it specifically so I know what I am going to work on. In terms of private and school life I am still figuring it out, but I try to keep my agenda realistic and also have time off.
HR
Semester 1
For the second lesson we had to do the big 5 test. These are my results:
We needed to choose values that we find important. These are a few I choose.
Respect- You offer help if elderly need it.
Making a difference- Speak up for the things you want/ find important.
Happiness- if you are happy radiate it to other people. Confidence- if you like your appearance, you radiate confidence.
things we did during the lectures were mostly related to find your own style on leadership, management, giving feedback al those kinds of things. This can be helpful in combination with the tests we did. The tests give you a good insight of your strengths and weaknesses, but also on your qualities.
Semester 2
This semester it was about conversations as a manager. The models and theory we used were interesting. I was surprised to see all the different models you can use for a performance review. If you take the Herzberg model you can see the factors that help motivate employees and what factors are expected to just be there. I never thought about these 2 kinds, like wages is something you expect, and achievements or recognition can motivate you.
During the multiple role plays we did in class I noticed that I try and want to care about their emotions. If there is a personal problem, I will help to find a solution this is, because I had many hospital visits and conversations about my schoolwork on how to do it. Of course this is a different situation, but I think that this is my reason for caring about someone problem.
Excel
There were 3 workshops where you had to do 3 assignments and could ask for help if you needed it. At first, I did not like excel, but now that I am busy with the last sheet it is not that bad anymore. Now I can see that it can come in handy with data from a survey or something else from a project.
Intercultural awareness
Semester 1
During these workshops we mainly focused on how getting to know yourself and (in my case) how Dutch I am. We used several models to identify this. The Hofstede model uses different dimensions to see if you are on the same side as your culture. I did identify with most of the dimensions.
The Lewis model can also be used, this is a pyramid and each point has another characteristic. the 3 point are multi-active, reactive and linear-active. According to the Lewis model I am multi-active. I think this is accurate, but it sometimes depends on the situation. Something else I thought about during these lectures are the sub cultures I belong to like sports and family. I found I fun to write about the people who programmed me and the norms and values I got from them.
Semester 2
These lectures are more about other cultures where the previous once focused more on you own culture and identity. Something fun that will happen at the end of these workshops we will eat a national dish from a chosen country with the whole class. Debate: You saw different arguments about western countries but also from African countries. I noticed that even though we prepared arguments about the statements it is quite hard to react on the other team sometimes.
We just had the last lecture on May 22, 2025, this was the lecture where we got to eat with each other. We had dishes from Ghana and Kosovo. From Ghana we had chicken wings, baked banana and a rice dish. From Kosovo we had some kind of (mashed)potato with spices, and you could eat it with bread. I found all the dishes tasty, but I am not a big fan of potatoes in general. Something I noticed is that those 2 countries cook with more spices than I am used to so even though it was not spice I had to get used to it. In Kosovo eating (diner) is very much about bonding and eating together with your family, I find this ‘tradition’ heartwarming.