Name of the interviewee:
Jonathan Mc Call
LinkedIn Profile link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmcc
Biography of professional background
Mr. Jonathan is an experienced professional software engineer highly proficient in the system administration and software programming field of expertise. He started his professional career as Support Porgrammer for 1 year in Prometheus Research LLC, where he got promoted to Junior Systems Administrator and served the company for 2 years and 2 months. He then changed his company to Rocket Fuel where he was employed as a data engineer for 1 year and 3 months. The next company he joined is NewsCred for 1 year and 9 months in the position of software engineer. He then worked as site reliability engineer at HBO for 3 years. Presently he is working at Zillow Group, New York in the position of Senior software development engineer. He has completed his bachelor’s degree in Physics with minor in Maths from South Connecticut State University. He has proficient technical knowledge in Python, SQL, PHP, HTSQL, Unix Shell Scripting, LINUX, Python, CSS and HTML. He mainly developed his career in the domain of programming, database design, configuration management, software design and integration of distributed systems. He has hands-on-experience in design and development of transaction data, delivery of reports and monitoring of such data with processing as per client’s needs. He worked on projects across his professional career on setting LDAP Kerberos, configuration management with using programming languages like My SQL to migrate data. He is acquainted with pip and apt servers. He acted as coordinator in collaborating with the team and the management for monitoring and evaluation of data. In HBO, he has built and assisted in the designing of ERP model systems in discourse platform. He performed holistic application of data server systems serving many clients through using digital products to analyze. He is abreast with new configuration technologies like Puppet and Ansible.
Interview Highlights:
The adaption to various innovative technologies created the spark in this career field for Mr. Jonathan. There is a good compensation package with added benefit of working in flexibility. A typical day in this career option consists of working in a team and maintaining the database through client checking and reporting to managers after completion of targets. The typical duties involve the design, implementation and preparing prototype solutions till final approval. The challenging nature of developing designs and models of software life cycle interests him more in this field. The various obstacles one has to face in this career is the changing client needs and the failure of system testing. The inadequate resources of the company pose a big threat here. The work –life balance can be effectively maintained through executing projects from home once or twice a week and collaborative team work through digital interactive communication. The students who are fresher’s in this career field should possess excellent knowledge in the basic programming languages like HTML, SQL, Java and C++ for coding initially during the training period of software design models. The more they gain hands-on-experience in working over various projects where they have to build and implement certain system designs; the career growth will progress at a speedier rate. For better career guidance, networking is essential with software developer managers or data coders who are successful professionals in this field over 2 years of experience. The seminars and information technology fairs can help in better and diverse knowledge about this field with new upcoming trends.
Bibliography
Castillo-Montoya, M., 2016. Preparing for Interview Research: The Interview Protocol Refinement Framework. Qualitative Report, 21(5).
Falcone, P., 2018. 96 great interview questions to ask before you hire. Amacom.
Kale, S., 2019. Bargain and its Impact. Global Journal of Management And Business Research.
Kallio, H., Pietilä, A.M., Johnson, M. and Kangasniemi, M., 2016. Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of advanced nursing, 72(12), pp.2954-2965.
Annotated Bibliography
Source 1:
Al-Shamiri, A. (2018). How Can You Be a Professional Software Developer? International Journal of Advanced Computer Research. Vol 9(5).
The source concentrates on describing the benefits and limitations of becoming a software developer and choosing it as a career focus. The author has given extensive information on the steps that an individual must follow to become a professional software developer. It also specifies the stages of a professional developer and how it can help an individual gain the goals and objectives of life. The source will help in the writing of the sections that shall highlight the best outcomes for a software developer over time and how he/she can become a professional individual in the field, over a course of time. The source has given me insight into the foremost practices that former developers have adopted to reach their goals in a short duration of time.
Source 2:
Gurcan, F. and Kose, C. (2017). Analysis of a Software Engineering Industry Needs and Trends: Implications for Education. International Journal of Engineering Education. Vol 33(4).
The source highlights the current needs of organizations in the software development industry and the ways that the education of a person can help in meeting the same. On one hand, the authors explain the benefits of education, while on the other hand, it explains the gaps that are identified in the education system and the best practices that students must adopt to fill those gaps and become a software developer or engineer in the industry. It also specifies the trends that are flourishing in the software engineering system and the responsibilities or skills that are considered to be significant for a software developer to be hired by a reputed company. Thus, the focus is on sharing insight into the tools and platforms that a software developer can use to achieve his/her objectives of working in the industry as a professional.
Source 3:
Li, P. L., Ko, A. J. and Zhu, J. (2015). What Makes a Great Software Engineer? University of Washington.
The research paper highlights that good software engineers or developers lead to the development of flawless software that become the core function of many organizations across the globe. It thus specifies the growing importance of exceptional skills and capabilities of a software engineer in making him/her experts in the field. The authors explain the role of soft skills for a software engineer which would help me in explaining the role of technical skills and soft skills in becoming a good software developer. The source further specifies the number of jobs that are open for software developers across the globe and the high number of opportunities that are available in the market if a developer is able to polish his/her skills and attain the benchmark attributes required to achieve the goals.
Source 4:
Liebenberg, J., Huisman, M. and Mentz, E. (2013). Industry’s Perception of the Relevance of Software Development Education. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa. Vol 10(3).
The source will prove to be very helpful in the compilation of a research paper on understanding the prerequisites of becoming a software developer. It shares insight into the markets that are currently facing a shortage of software developers and the basic skills that are deemed to be important for meeting this gap in the market. The article reports the skills that are attained by software developers during their education and the problems that are caused by the gaps in education. It also specifies the skills that an aspiring software developer should intake to meet the demands of a professional software developer in today’s business environment. It further explains the career guidance, awareness and information on the skills that are compulsory to achieve the success a software developer may aspire for.
Organizational Behavior
Introduction
5S Steps is the lean manufacturing methodology which helps in evaluating what it is necessary and what are the items which is not should be eliminated in the organization. In this report, the case study of the Japanese manufacturer Kyocera will be studied and the principles of sorting, Straightening, Shining, Standardizing and Sustaining principles will be enhanced. In this report, the advantages and disadvantages of imposing a similar culture in Canadian companies will also be stated (Hussein, et al., 2014).
What would you see as the value in Kyocera using 5S?
The Japanese manufacturer Kyocera uses the 5S concept as their value of the pride which was somehow misplaced with the time. The employer is not accepting that clutter in the workspace which was there at the employee’s desk. The attention has been drawer upon Dan Brown which is the newly appointed inspector. As per the concept of the cultural organization 5S is drawn up which is based on the five phases:
Sort: In this phase, the things are sorted which are essential for the Kyocera and the unnecessary item in the organization which is not impactful will be removed. The actions are taken so that in the workplace of the Kyocera the unnecessary items can be eliminated. The essential item of the Japanese manufacturer Kyocera is materials, tools and the supplies which are essential are only kept (Leotsakos, et al., 2014).
Systematize: At the working organization only the necessary items will be accessed so that the focus will be on the effective storage materials only. To promote the maximum efficiency of the working culture it is important to place everything at the working place which is essential such as important tools and equipment.
Sweep: The organizational culture of the Japanese manufacturer Kyocera should be cleaned every day and there should be no defect in the equipment. The step of Sweep is the action so that the workplace can be inspected and can be maintained neat and cleans (Warrick, 2017).
Standardize: The high standards of the goods are maintained at the workplace of the Kyocera as it helps in guiding the workplace and often executed by order. The organization should set the responsibilities so employees exactly know what to do.
Self-Discipline: The culture of the organization Kyocera can be maintained by involving training and discipline so that the 4S standards can be followed. The standards have to be maintained and reviewed and it has to be inspected so that the chaos and the disorder at the working place do not attain.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of trying to impose a similar culture in Canadian companies?
Advantages: By imposing a similar culture in Canadian companies it becomes easy for the companies to create interpersonal trust and helps in moderating the behavior effectively. The thinking and behavior of the people can be ascertained easily by imposing the same culture and it also helps the Canadian companies in effectively doing the innovation. By imposing the same culture it does not becomes quite challenging for the managers to understand the behavior of the people and to motivate them to work effectively at the working place (Muscalu, 2014).
A similar culture also gives the benefit to Canadian companies to add intrinsic value and give them opportunities to enhance the quality of life. The overall productivity and the growth of the company enhance as similar culture helps in building trust and increase the sense of social behavior and belongings.
Disadvantages: There are several disadvantages which the Canadian company has to face by establishing a similar culture at the working place. The major difficulty will be found in the language barriers as people belonging to different language culture. Other barriers will relate to the social tensions as by imposing a similar culture it becomes difficult for the companies to understand the perspectives of the diversified people (Gorzen-Mitka, 2018). Society is heading towards a diversified future so by imposing a similar culture the company will not be sustained on the market and their growth will also be affected. The similar culture of people at the working place will not have diversified thinking and will affect the efficiency level of the company.
What might your response be to having to engage in the 5S principles in your workplace?
I think 5S is an effective tool that should be imposed at the working place to make the organizational culture more effective and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the company (Malik, 2014). I would engage my company to 5S principles as it helps in eliminating the unnecessary items in the company which helps in reducing the waste and the cost of the company. The productivity of the company will also be enhanced as these principles work towards achieving the goals. By minimal the wastage of time and cost the productivity will be enhanced.
This 5S principle also provides a clean workplace so I will engage in that so that safety at the working environment can be maintained. The chances of errors and falls will be declined in a clean and safe working environment (Stein, 2017). The flexibility of the working place can also be maintained by engaging in the 5S Principles as it not only manages the effective equipment of the company but also helps me in minimizing the damages. The major reason behind engaging with the 5S principles is that it helps in achieving the worker commitment and emphasizes on worker participation.
Conclusion
From the above report, it is concluded that 5S principles are very essential in the business organization as it helps in minimizing the wastage of time and cost and helps in enhancing the productivity in the company. In this report, the 5Stages of the organizational culture have stated which helps in achieving the worker commitment and provides work safety. The advantages and disadvantages of a similar culture have also stated in this report.
References
Abdi, Kambis, and Aslan Amat Senin. “Investigation on the impact of organizational culture on organization innovation.” Journal of Management Policies and Practices 2, no. 2 (2014): 1-10.
Gorzen-Mitka, Iwona. “Leading markers of risk culture in organization.” European Journal of Sustainable Development 7, no. 1 (2018): 425-425.
Hussein, Norashikin, Safiah Omar, Fauziah Noordin, and Noormala Amir Ishak. “Learning organization culture, organizational performance and organizational innovativeness in a public institution of higher education in Malaysia: A preliminary study.” Procedia Economics and Finance 37 (2016): 512-519.
Leotsakos, Agnès, Hao Zheng, Rick Croteau, Jerod M. Loeb, Heather Sherman, Carolyn Hoffman, Louise Morganstein et al. “Standardization in patient safety: the WHO High 5s project.” International journal for quality in health care 26, no. 2 (2014): 109-116.
Malik, Atif Qamar. “Implementation plan of 5S methodology in the basic surgical instruments manufacturing industry of Sialkot.” International Journal of Science & Technology Research 3, no. 9 (2014).
Muscalu, Emanoil. “ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE CHANGE IN THE ORGANIZATION.” Revista Academiei Fortelor Terestre 19, no. 4 (2014).
Shinde, Dinesh B., and Prashant N. Shende. “Improvement of Plant Layout by using 5S technique–An industrial case study.” International Journal of Modern Engineering Research 4, no. 2 (2014): 141-146.
Stein, Howard F. Listening deeply: An approach to understanding and consulting in organizational culture. University of Missouri Press, 2017.
Warrick, D. D. “What leaders need to know about organizational culture.” Business Horizons 60, no. 3 (2017): 395-404.
Commercial Law
Organization
Formation of an organization is an essential and primary part of any business. Though there are so many types of organizations or businesses amongst which the perfect or the apt kind of organization needs to be chosen for an individual to earn profit or achieve goals.
Few of the kinds of organizations that shall be discussed here are: Sole trader, Partnership and a Charity. There are different laws and processes to follow through in each country to incorporate any one of the above mentioned organization. Each country tries to make it convenient for people or manageable for its citizens to follow through the laws as well as the processes so that they can incorporate their type of firms without much difficulty and contribute towards the economy.
Sole trader
In any country, becoming a sole trader is the easiest way one can become self -employed. This kind of business provides all the independence and full share of profit to the individual running the business. It is all in the hands of the sole trader to carry out the business on its own or hire a person to do it for them. In order to become a sole trader, the person that starts the business becomes self –employed and apart from that, the individual holds the right to gain and keep all the earnings and profits from the business. Individual opting for a sole trading business is personally liable for all the losses and responsibilities incurring in this kind of business (Gov.UK, 2020).
Requirements for registration
In order to proceed with idea of sole trading in United Kingdom, one needs to fulfil a certain criteria according to which an individual needs to have an NI or the National Insurance, along with that, the individual needs to register with the HM Revenue and Customs or widely known as the HMRC for a self –assessment for tax purposes, as well as opt for a name under which the business is to be carried out as in keep a name for the business, now this name can be the sole proprietor or trader’s own name as well or any other as per the preference of the business owner. United Kingdom has specific laws that need to be followed in order to incorporate a sole trading business (Mygov.scot , 2019).
If any of the following conditions apply, one can set up a business as a sole trader in United Kingdom; when an individual’s earning amount to a rough 1,000 British Pound in the last financial year through any kind of self –employment; or one proves to be a self –employed person through any document or as such; or one wishes to make the Voluntary Class 2 National Insurance Payment so as to get assist the individual opting for sole trading qualify for the benefits (GOV.UK, 2020).
After one follows through with the abovementioned conditions, the individual has to file taxes every year and HMRC needs to be informed regarding the self -assessment or that individual is going to pay the taxes or calculate on their own. National Insurance Number is the key here, when incorporating a firm in the United Kingdom. In order to fulfil the responsibilities associated with the business of a sole trader, one has to keep records of all the earning as well as all the expenses in order to make sure about the transactions being carried out throughout the year and the taxes can be filed accordingly. Income tax as well needs to be paid on the basis of the profits that are being earned through the business as well as the Class 2 and the Class 4 National Insurance (Korchak, 2019).
Another aspect that needs consideration here is that the business has to be registered for VAT if the turnover from the business is above British pound 85,000. The above mentioned is a mandatory practice that needs to be followed at all costs if the turnover reaches to 85,000 British Pound, but, in cases where the turnover is less the business owner on its own has the option to register the business for VAT if there is a practice in this business to sell to other businesses that are already registered with VAT, this is done so as to reclaim the VAT that has been already paid. In cases where a construction industry is concerned or the sole trader that is being discussed here is covered under the construction industry or the business in some or the other manner relates the individual owing this business as a contractor or subcontractor, then, they need to register with the HMRC for the CIS or widely known as the Construction Industry Scheme (Williams, 2020).
Opting for the name
Apart from all the above mentioned aspects, one major issue here is regarding opting for a name for the sole trader. One can opt for a name that individual has or anything but, it cannot include, LLP, Limited Liability Partnership, Limited, LTD or PLC , Public Limited Company or even any kind of offensive names or anything identifying the trademark that has been existing. Apart from these, the name can also not be something that is in connection with the government or anything that is sensitive to people or any such expression that might harm public’s sentiments in any manner (Korchak, 2019).
Funding and dispute resolution
When funding a sole trading firm, the sole proprietor of the business owner on their own have to bring in the whole capital that is required by the firm or the business for that matter, even in situations where additional capital is required, the sole trader is responsible for the same. In most of the cases, when disputes arise amongst parties, as in when contracts are made or in contractual context, the dispute resolution can be done through, commercial arbitration or any other ADR’s for that matter, as they are much cheaper and convenient way to resolve disputes (Legal Information Institute, 2020). A small clause in the contract or agreement as such can prevent any huge damages to both the parties. As far as employment disputes are concerned, they can be mostly related to either pay scale or working conditions offered by the sole trader, these can be discussed with the sole trader, while in scenarios where no proper action is taken in regards with the situation, then it can be taken up with the court or the labour union if the issue is serious. Complaints regarding the discrimination or non -payment or any such other issue can be taken up and complaint concerning the same can be filed with any of the trade unions or the Citizens Advice bureau (Citizens Advice, 2020).
Since, sole trader firms or businesses do not have to comply with the regulation of registering their business with the authorities as a sole trading firm, they do not receive a level of protection when disputes arise or winding up of this kind of firm takes place. Therefore, the firm just dissolves and all the losses are borne by the sole trader himself.
Partnership
Partnership is one very important as well as convenient form of conducting a business. There are various types of partnerships that can be opted for as per the convenience or the goal of the people who are going to be partners. A partnership is a kind of business in which the members or the partners have the authority to take decisions as well as responsibilities of the business according to their own choice, for instance, if a partner wants to handle management and the other wants to take care of the financial aspects, then they mutually can agree on the same and get that mentioned in the agreement of partnership as well. Partners in a partnership can distribute the losses as well as all the profits amongst them based on the profit sharing ratio they have decided amongst them. In scenario, where no profit sharing ratio is decided, then it is assumed that the partners have agreed on equal profits sharing ratios (Entreprenur, 2020).
Setting up a partnership
In order to set up a partnership firm in the United Kingdom, there are a certain aspects that need to be taken care of, as in the partner or the partners have to share the responsibilities personally for the business which includes, any of the losses that have incurred in the business or any of the bills or expenses regarding the business that have been made such as any kind of equipment purchased for better functioning of the business or any kind of stock for the same purpose (Fox Williams LLP, 2019).
When taxes are concerned, there is no specific tax that the partnership firm has to pay; instead the partners have to pay taxes on their shares of the profits they have earned in the business and it is not at all mandatory that only an actual person has to be a partner in a partnership firm, it can be an actual person as well as any legal person as well, for instance a company can be a partner in a partnership firm as well (Gov.UK, 2020).
In order to set up a partnership firm, the partners need to decide on the name as well as partners that are going to be a very necessary bit of the whole partnership idea and a profit sharing ratio needs to be decided as well. Apart from this there needs to be a nominated partner, who is going to keep a track of all the business records as well as the partnership taxes will be managed by him. He also needs to register the firm with HMRC for tax purposes. Similar conditions shall apply to a partnership firm concerning VAT registration just as the sole trader’s.
Dispute resolution
Any of the contractual issues or disagreements is easy to be resolved through arbitration as it provides the parties to opt the arbitrator based on their own convenience, and it is quite cheaper or cost efficient when compared with the traditional method of going to the court. But, in situations such as the issues arising between the partners themselves, the method of the court can be opted when issues do not resolve through time and the decision by the court shall be considered final and binding. Though partnerships can be very easy to liquidate as the partners need to take care of the losses that have incurred on the basis of their profit and loss sharing ratios in case it was a limited liability partnership, but in case it was not, then partners are themselves liable for all the losses equally or on the basis of profit sharing ratio and the firm’s assets also need to be liquidized on the basis of that (Gov.UK, 2020).
Charity
Setting up a Charity in United Kingdom
Charity is a non -profit organization that has been formed not for earning profit but for social welfare. The funds that are obtained or keep a charity running are all gathered from various sources as in through people funding them, or the cause that the charity supports or even when a few people or trustees come together for a particular goal to be satisfied. In United Kingdom, when a charity is to be formed, there is a need for at least three trustees who can fund the charity. Apart from this, a goal or purpose needs to be made sure behind the whole thing.
Governing Document
A governing document needs to be created so that the rules regarding how the charity is going to be run. It is basically the rule book or the guide that provides each and every detail regarding how the charity is going to be governed as in related to the expenses or involvement of the trustees, their payments or appointment as well as how it is going to be closed, everything is mentioned in the governing document (Gov.UK, 2020).
A charity has to be registered as well if the annual income of the same is 5,000 British Pounds or above that. In case, the individual that is setting up the charity has already set up a Charitable Incorporated Organization or the CIO, even this can help with the setting up of a charity (Community Southwark, 2020).
Structure creation
Another major aspect is opting for the name of the charity as well as creating a structure. Structure here refers to how or who going to run the charity or what it can do as in if it can own a property or not or employ people, aspects like these are discussed in the structure. Different kinds of charities have different kinds of structures as well. In order to register a charity, certain documents such as the recent accounts, proof of income, detains of the trustees as well as governing document, things like these are very necessary (GOV.UK, 2020).
Dispute Resolution
When any kinds of disputes arise within the charity itself regarding financial issues, the governing body needs to be addressed and issues then shall be discussed with them so as to make it easier to resolve them. There are certain governmental bodies as well that assist with the same and court is an option that can be addressed when necessary also. Solicitors are the ones that can assist with the same as well. When contractual issues arise, then again it is better to opt for ADR’s as they are time saving and convenient yet there are various other options that can help with the resolutions as well.
Bibliography
Citizens Advice, 2020. Citizens Advice. [Online] Available at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Community Southwark, 2020. Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs). [Online] Available at: https://www.communitysouthwark.org/sites/default/files/images/Charitable%20Incorporated%20Organisations%20-%20CIOs.pdf [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Entreprenur, 2020. Partnership. [Online] Available at: https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/partnership [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Fox Williams LLP, 2019. Formation of partnerships in United Kingdom. [Online] Available at: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=1325a2fd-22f4-4744-a99b-d20f1a2847a7 [Accessed 23 March 2020].
GOV.UK, 2020. National Insurance. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance [Accessed 23 March 2020].
GOV.UK, 2020. Register your charity. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/setting-up-charity/register-your-charity [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Gov.UK, 2020. Set up a business partnership. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business-partnership/register-partnership-with-hmrc [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Gov.UK, 2020. Set up a business partnership. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business-partnership [Accessed 23 MMarch 2020].
Gov.UK, 2020. Set up a charity. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/setting-up-charity/governing-document [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Gov.UK, 2020. Set up as a sole trader. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Korchak, J., 2019. What is a sole trader? [Online] Available at: https://www.informdirect.co.uk/business-management/what-is-a-sole-trader/ [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Legal Information Institute, 2020. Alternative Dispute Resolution. [Online] Available at: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/alternative_dispute_resolution [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Mygov.scot , 2019. Set up a business in the UK. [Online] Available at: https://www.mygov.scot/start-business-uk/register-your-business-in-the-uk/ [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Williams, M., 2020. 13 things you should know about being a sole trader. [Online] Available at: https://www.startupdonut.co.uk/set-up-a-business/registering-as-a-sole-trader/13-things-you-should-know-about-being-a-sole-trader [Accessed 23 March 2020].
