Blog 13: Lesson 2 Reflection

1. Positive StatementWhat are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

I really liked the point I've come to as I was making this presentation, that while business is mainly a numbers industry, it's also a people industry; it's important to keep up the relationships you have with the people in your business, especially in operating a music store.

2. Questions to ConsiderWhat assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

AP. I didn't hit time (really disappointed there, but what's done is done), but I think I covered everything else.

Blog 14: Independent Component 1

LITERAL

I, Regina Ongowarsito, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

My sources are my class's textbook, Leadership in Organizations by Gary Yukl, and the host of the Small Business workshop I've attended, Robert Usher.

Link to Independent Component Log

For my independent component, I attended a college class called Leadership in Organization, where I learned the different types and aspects of leadership and which would work the most effectively in certain situations. In addition, I also attended a workshop for small businesses in Chino.

INTERPRETIVE

When I was in the workshop, I took notes along the presentation and gathered information by asking questions. I've covered my work in the workshop on my monthly blog post for October, linked here.

As for the college class, not only did I take notes, but I also did research into leadership styles and studied for the exams. This is a link to my dropbox folder for the class. This is to my transcript.

APPLIED

The college class and the workshop benefited me differently.

The college class helped me understand something about business that isn't so apparent: Business is not just a numbers industry; it's also a human industry. When most people work, regardless of the field, it's often with other people, and the importance dynamics between these people cannot be underestimated. It could make or break your work flow.

For example, as a leader, you might end up in a situation where you must influence your subordinates. In the case of a music store, perhaps you need to convince an employee to take up a shift he doesn't really want. There are different ways you could influence him: You could force him to take it, threatening to fire him if he doesn't. Or you could discuss with him what might convince him to take the shift. Maybe for his finals week, he can have more flexibility with his shift. Or he could get something from the music store for free.

My college class taught me not only the mentioned solutions, but also how while all of them might work, not all of them might create a good relationship between the leader and the follower. Bribing or threatening someone tend to increase compliance, while discussing the issue together with the worker tend to increase commitment. As a leader, it's better to have commitment from your followers than compliance.

As for the workshop, I decided to attend it as I felt that I need more knowledge concerning the business side of music store operations (at that time, I've only been covering instrument care). It proved to be fruitful, as I learned great tips for business strategies, regulations, and financing. For example, to successfully run a business, planning is key. Understand your demographics and create your advertisements accordingly. When picking a location for your store, be aware of local competition and the potentials of  a location. And do NOT start a business without a financial plan; if getting a loan, at least secure it first before getting the business running. There are many things to consider when running a business, and for the business to work, you must be able to keep up with everything.

Monthly Post: January - The Fight

With more research needed to be done, I had decided in the past month to focus more on music store operations aspects other than instrument repairs. What happened was rather a significant discovery into the unsaid rivalry between large chain music stores, such as Guitar Center and Sam Ash, and independent music stores.

To be frank, I was already aware of this when I first even considered doing music store operations as my topic. After all, I'm a frequent goer for both; I go to Sam Ash for the cheaper products, and I go to independent music stores for the people. What I never really knew was the history of which this quiet rivalry that traces back to 1996, and also the resurgence of independent stores and their forced yet successful adaptation to current times. Many articles that I've found on independent stores flaunt the fact that they are often far more personal and personable than large chain stores.

It's been crossing my mind that I interview different independent stores, more than the required 3, as to get more information to this whole situation. This conflict isn't really one that is commonly covered in newspapers or magazines. If I really want my presentation to be great, I have to be my own journalist to get my sources from.

Blog 12 - Third Interview Questions

1) (Essential Question) What is the best way to profit as an independent music store?
2) What should be of utmost importance in the music store operation?
3) What could be considered as a music store's appeal to customers?
4) What is the difference between a large chain music store and an independent one?
5) Continuing from Q4, which one is better?
6) Do independent music stores have a bigger responsibility to their community?
7) Can independent music stores utilize their better relationships to the community to their advantage?
8) How do we deal with independent music stores' tendencies to have higher prices than chain music stores?
9) How do we find potential employees that would be knowledgeable and suitable for the independent music store?
10) Are music classes necessary for a music store's livelihood?

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 Hours Check

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

I am doing my mentorship at The Music Store at Walnut.

2.   Who is your contact?

Owner of the store, Gene Iacono

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?

30 hours and 28 minutes.

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.

I was told to simply observe, since I didn't know anything about working the store yet. I was shown the schedule binder, the cashier, the cashier software, the records software, the script for calls, etc.

5.   Email your house teacher the name of your contact and their phone number confirming who they should call to verify it.

Blog 10: Senior Project: The Holiday

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you over the break with your senior project?

I was too busy with other things during the break (college apps, sigh...), so I couldn't do much with my senior project. However, I did keep up my mentorship.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

I learned that it's really key for you to do all the things needed to run a music store (for ex., remember to tell students if their teacher's going to miss some lesson days) and not lag behind. Otherwise, things may start falling apart.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers of your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

Well, I would just usually talk to the owner of the music store, Gene Iacono. But, I did get a possible new mentor named Orlando (he fixes the music store's rental instruments and also owns his own music store) so I'll definitely talk to him.

Monthly Post: Communication (and Diligence) is Key

Two weeks ago, I came to the Music Store for my bass lesson, only to meet a dejected face of an employee.

As it turns out, my bass teacher wasn't there.

He had called an hour before the lesson, saying that he had already told the person on the counter on the Wednesday that he wouldn't be coming that Saturday. He thought that the person had already called his students... And the person didn't.

Last time I saw my bass teacher, which was last Saturday, he said that that wasn't a good thing. It's that kind of unreliable communications between the teacher, the store, and the students that would cost him students, and the person on the counter that previous Sunday had a chance to call all the students, and didn't.

Yet another reason why keeping up communications is important.