Apply appropriate performance measures and quality tools that are utilized within the context of supply chain management

 Interviews This course utilizes two interviews to provide you an opportunity to interact with real-world professionals within the areas of business related to your course topics. 

It is an exciting time, living in the 21st Century! While the intent of the interviews is that you attempt to interview a professional face-to-face in your local community, if this is difficult due to factors such as living in a rural area, you can find a professional online, coordinate via email, and meet using Google Hangouts to accomplish the interview assignments.

 Keep in mind, in either method, your professionalism reflects upon yourself and our institution; make us proud. 

A few other important notes: Due to technical limitations with our learning platform, you may see these items listed as Journal: Interview. These are not to be confused with your normal journals, as they are very different. Consider them as interviews, and ensure you review and read their specific instructions. 

 This is a realistic business opportunity. One of the positive elements of Interviews as learning opportunities is that they also open you up to networking opportunities. The role of professional networking in a business career cannot be understated, it is key towards success. Additionally, if you research career sites, you will see much advice towards the concept of an informational interview. You may want to research informational interviews from this perspective prior to your two actual interviews.

 You are being notified during Unit 1 to allow you maximize time to research, plan, coordinate, and accomplish the interview successfully. Overcome obstacles, if they occur, and earn positive results! 

In this Interview, you will be assessed based on the following outcome:

 MT475-4: Apply appropriate performance measures and quality tools that are utilized within the context of supply chain management. This journal is different than many journals you may have encountered during your time at university. In fact, it is better to think of it as an Interview than a journal.

 Part of learning about business is networking. This interview is to get you motivated and networking with business professionals in your local area. If you want, you can also set-up an online interview using Google Hangouts; however, you should make an effort in your local area if at all possible for this experiential learning opportunity to conduct a face-to-face interview. 

You will conduct a 30-minute interview with a business professional who has experience with Quality Tools and Performance Measures. 

During the interview, ask permission to submit their first name, last name, and email address as elements of your interview summary, in case your professor wants to check-in with them on their thoughts of the interview. 

As the person conducting the interview, you should dress professionally for the interview, and be prepared with some initial research of the person you are interviewing (review their LinkedIn profile) as well as, their organization (online research, corporate website, etc.). The point is to show up as a business professional, and to be properly prepared and engaged for the interview. You will be asking the questions, and you should be prepared to be an active listener and to ask pertinent follow-on questions. 

The three main question sets you are to ask, allowing about 10 minutes of discussion each, are: 

Question Set 1: (Voice Matrix) As a part of quality management, and process management, it is important that each group of employees have “a voice’ in the process. Does your organization use the concept of a Voice Matrix to collect stakeholder input via Excel, or another spreadsheet or database? What does your organization do with employee feedback? Why is it important for all stakeholders to have representation within a quality culture? 

Question Set 2: (Employee Categories) How are your employees categorized within the organization? Is this the responsibility of human resources, leadership, or both in partnership? How does employee category connect to operational mission? How does categorization improve areas such as organizational work or customer interaction?

 Question Set 3: (Standards) What standards does your organization set related to the mission? What standards are set for teams within the organization? If you could improve a particular standard that you work with frequently, what would it be, and how would you improve it? 

To successfully complete this interview, review the rubric prior to the interview and ensure you complete all required elements. However, in general, you will be composing 2-pages of meeting minute format summary of the interview, highlighting who you selected to interview, their contact information, the three responses, any other follow-on questions or key points, and then close with a summary and your reflection on what you learned in relation to the course topics.