Conflict

1) What is Conflict?


According to the book "Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships" it is stated that “contrary to popular belief, conflict is not a bad thing. It is, in fact, a healthy display of each individual’s uniqueness, free will and boundaries.” [1] It is also believed that conflict helps us learn and grow! [2] Studies also show according to the book that unlike to conventional wisdom, “happiness is not the absence of conflict. Happiness is the ability to handle conflict in a positive way. [3]


(2) How to be understood;

The way a person communicates with another can be misunderstood and it all comes with the reason that the way you communicate may not get through to the person you are talking to as their way of receiving information in their brain is different to how you receive and absorb information. In the book “Peace Talk” it has an example, ‘if you are talking to person X and s/he seems to be listening. Don’t be fooled.
Even if s/he is paying attention, there are chances are your way of expressing
yourself is not hinted to the way his/her mind processes information’.
According to these studies ‘there might be an even bigger gap between your ‘sending’ and X’s ‘receiving’ abilities if the message also contains certain emotional components.’[4] This means ‘the person you are talking to may not be in sync with your communication technique’. [5]

There is a way to help X really ‘hear’ you, and ‘avoid any misunderstanding
or partial understanding, you need to find out first what ‘language’ (i.e. thinking and communication style) makes the most sense to him/her.’ [6] this means you need to change words around that they can understand, make it more simple, maybe they are visual learners and its best to show visual examples or even make comparisons and metaphorical examples to help them understand, and asking them for a basic summery of what they understood can also help clarification.

In this book, it states that even spend ‘just a few minutes listening to person X (i.e. playing ‘mind detective’), it won’t be necessary to spend many hours of possible miscommunication, urging, and other nasty goings-on later.
While listening to person X during those few minutes, you will find out what
form of communication s/he is most comfortable with.’ [7]
There are many types of ways people choose to communicate ‘some people express themselves through stories or sketch. Some prefer to ‘cut to the chase’ straight away. Then there are those who like to analyze every thought like myself, or go off on tangents. Others prefer to hear ‘just the facts,’ and ask questions later.’ Therefore, you need to listen to person X first, you will be able to talk to him/her in a way you can e heard and understood. [8]


So as you are trying to work out and "mirroring" person X's communication style,
you are also listening to his/her explanation for being in conflict with you.
This information, combined with your Peace Talk™ problem-solving
skills, leads to prolific brainstorming and this way you improve relations. [9]


3) Essential Communication Skills

Have conflict avoidance through understandable, confident communication.
Be secure, successful, truthful, have non-threatening, and blame-free confrontation.
Both people have to listen and be a mind detective.
It takes two to tango so it needs to be two-way problem resolving communication. [10]


4) Preparation is the key to managing conflict well and resolving it successfully.

• Conflict always spawns anxiety. It’s best to expect it, accept it, and resolve it by focusing on your conflict resolution skills, not your emotions or on
imagined undesirable outcomes. [11]

• Conflicts can only be resolved, by just facing them and adopting safe confrontation skills first. [12]

• It does take courage and resolution to start confrontation. Some people like to postpone it. Others feel frozen at the prospect of confronting either a person or a situation. [13]

• Keep in mind: Anxiety and fear restrain both thought and communication. [14]

• It is important, therefore, to prepare well previous to opening a conflict resolution process.[15]

• To avoid ‘choking up,’ ‘blowing up,’ or ‘giving up,’ you need to be
focused, patient and have communication and conflict resolution skills. Above all, you need to be
READY!
REHEARSED!
RELAXED! [16]






References:

Picture was taken by google under ‘conflict’ on page 1: http://www.shelbycounselingassociates.org/clientimages/33040/conflict.jpg

[1] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[2] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[3] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[4] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[5] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[6] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[7] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[8] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[9] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[10] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[11] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[12] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[13] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[14] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[15] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.
[16] http://peace-talk.com/_wsn/page3.html : Excerpted from the book
"Peace Talk™-- A Guide to Harmonious Relationships"
by Dina Eliash Robinson.

Picture of two men shaking hands is taken from google under “conflict resolved” on page 1
http://www.bianchi-group.com/images/handshake1.jpg

Remuneration

In the class presentation the topic “remuneration” was presented and it gave us a clear understanding of what remuneration essentially was, in my further research of this topic I decided to elaborate on the topic in general in the work force. So what is Remuneration? It’s a form of payment, a salary, a wage or even a reward. The wage is something that remunerates; "wages were paid by check"; "he wasted his pay on drink"; "they saved a quarter of all their earnings". [1] It is also defined as the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses; "adequate remuneration for his work". [2] Remuneration can also be a pay or a salary which is normally monetary payment for services rendered, in an employment. [3]

This can include a base salary or fees, assured and/or anticipated bonus and earning a commission, inducement payments, allowances, sometimes even the advantage of receiving a company car and all other payments and taxable. [4] It could also be a payment for service. [5] It can be a payment prepared for services rendered to a company. Remuneration includes the following; Commission for seeking for an applicant for each applicant, whose request is subject to commission according to the above information, a company is obliged to pay the due expenses according to the following system, except if it is agreed in individual cases. [6] It is frequently called ‘payroll’. Includes wages, commission, bonus, it can be a pay for holidays, vacations, overtime pay and sickness and even payment for section of work. [7]

Remuneration can also be identified as the sum of all direct and indirect cash payments to an employee. It can consist of cash and non-cash rewards such as base pay, health insurance, allowances, childcare allowance, personal use of a company car, superannuation contributions and bonus payments. [8] Also it can actually depend on the professional background of an employee, perhaps even the experience and family circumstances, a competitive compensation and benefits package is obtainable. [9]
Remuneration also means base salary or hourly rate. [10]

The remuneration I have gained in this class is definitely the experience with working with groups, the advantages, the challenges and how to compromise; also the skill gained using Ut3 is one of the biggest rewards I could ever receive.











Reference:
[1] wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
[2] wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
[3] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remuneration
[4] www.dinosaursunlimited.co.uk/terms.php
[5] www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/taxglossary.html
[6] www.amazon.de/b
[7] www.safeco.com/safeco/for_your_business/Premium_Audit_Services/prem_audit_glossary.asp
[8] www.workinsight.govt.nz/services/PayAndEmploymentEquity/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-5.asp
[9] unjobs.org/vacancies/1180094507303
[10] www.beautyrecruitment.ie/timesheet/TOB%20Temp.doc

Context

Context is often referred to the environment, a milieu, scenery. It is a Latin origin “contextus” the surroundings, circumstances, background or settings which determine, specify, or clarify the meaning of an event. [1] Context in an UT3 can be changed by using lighting, furniture, building materials, topology, sound and color. In our fabrication, our project “The Wombarra house” is situated in a context is beach/bush landscape and applying that environment to our UT3 design is the ultimate goal in creating the concept. If our context is changed, then our concept changes too. The word concept is often referred to the idea, the notion of our project, or the perception of the context.
Researching and site seeing has given our group members an understanding of the context we strive to produce. We are working on our fabrication to recreate the context of the existing location of where the site is situated, if by any means the correct context is not provided in our project we might generate the wrong context and therefore have a misinterpretation of the environment of the project which will change the concept of our assignment.

Using UT3 can be a device to recreate the feeling, the environment, the style of the Wombarra House, using certain textures, sounds that match the environment of the mountain or bush land such as bird sounds as well as the beach which would be waves crashing and the sound of seagulls can make a large impact on the project as it sets the mood of the context. This is the concept we are trying to create. Another way we can express the mood of this environment is using lighting to set an atmosphere, preferably of a soothing, calm, home-like environment. Bringing that feeling in the project is our aim, as our project may not be the most interesting or grandiose and well-known building, Therefore we must use the strength of the building which is the context, so we are effectively recreating the feeling which is the most important part of our house that will capture the audience’s attention as the house will offer a sense of warmth that will steal the audience away with the emotion that this building will provide.

Reference;

[1] http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/context

Planning

Explain the principle roles/aims of statutory planning with regards to the built environment?

Introduction

Statutory planning is more commonly known as town planning and the control and development within an area [1] it aims to cater for the general public and ensure well-organized and resourceful planning. To minimize negative effects on other people, properties or the environment while helping communities and individuals achieve their development aims [2].
Urban planning is concerned with the ordering and design of settlements, from the smallest towns to the world's largest cities and it doesn’t just deal with the making of plans but also deals with managing development to correspond with planning objectives [3] such as certain codes and regulations abided by councils and made by higher planning authorities which could even be governed by planning law [4].
Planning has a large role in arranging and structuring the disciplines of the built environment. E.g. before landscapers, architects or designers branch out and work on their appointed area, planners acknowledge the project as a whole. This keeps the project contained and managed.
Statutory planning history: in the 18th century in Britain where town planning laws didn’t exist, population was increasing and people were migrating from farming areas to more structured city living and the houses developed had low amenities and didn’t cater very well for daily living and this is why the British government at the time decided to introduce the Town Planning Act 1909, which was the first planning statute to be enacted. This act was limited it provided a new beginning to organized town planning and development [5]
“Picture” I just prepared a quick layout of the area of our unbuilt project just to show what type or urban planning was in involved in the small town of Wombarra.
As we can see the Wombarra house is situated in a developed urban residential area with a hospital down south, neighboring restaurants sporting facilities such as surf club and also has cottages to accommodate for tourists.
You may now see in the picture but looking at the residences nearby and our unbuilt residence; you get the idea that the building designers wanted to build the houses taking advantage of the local natural environment, such as using the beach views.
This was their aim, to plan an environment to take advantage and for the benefit of the community, it aims to provide for the general public and ensure well-organized and resourceful planning. To reduce negative effects on other people, properties or the environment while helping communities and individuals achieve their development intend [6 ] which is to manage an effective functioning of the built environment. [7].
Reference:
[1] http://www.reference.com/search?q=statutory%20planning
(Google search on Definition of statutory planning)
[2] http://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/our_services/regulatory_services/statutory_planning/
(Google search for Aim of statutory planning)
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_planning
(Wikipedia search on urban planning)
[4] http://www.reference.com/search?q=statutory%20planning
(Google search on the law on planning)
[5] http://www.reference.com/search?q=statutory%20planning
(Google search on history of statutory planning)
[6] http://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/our_services/regulatory_services/statutory_planning/
(Google search on aims for built environment)
[7] ] http://www.reference.com/search?q=statutory%20planning
(Google search for managing effective built environment)
Reference for picture: Google earth on the location of the Wombarra house taken on 25/5/2008)

Cettina's Record Presentation

Hey guys, my blog is different to my presentation, I decided to post it so everyone in my group can comment on my presentation which I will paste below..
I am hoping to get this down in point form so I will be able to remember it all and in oder..I will be talking a little then Showing the video and them talking some more and then in the end answer the question so have a look at that and see what you think.

Presentation on Record..

I have found a video on keeping good records and the importance in keeping records in the work place. It is an OH&S video called “Stop chasing your tail” [1] which is based on safety in a construction site but it relates to our discussion today on the topic record.

With the help of my group members they were able to help me cut the important scenes that we needed that were relevant we created our own simple video for you guys to view.
This 3 minuet video helps you understand what happens if you don’t have records in the workplace and what could happen if it goes to court; it also shows that if you communication and collaboration of coworkers it can help prevent problems in the future. Also this video shows how workers are using job diaries and writing everything down as they go day to day and they are also getting it signed off.

PLAY VIDEO

This video shows how coworkers are communicating with one another and how they learned to keep records in the simplest way by compromising with one another and that’s what working together is all about. If you have everything documented, if it reaches the court you will be protected financially and reputation too.

Therefore it is important to keep records from day one, so as we document properly we are able to deliver exactly what is expected of us, record everything, don’t be afraid to write everything down its all a matter of getting it out of your head and into paper, if it was a situation where you have a client you hand back the record to the him/her in a contract form so the client can sign it. How are you going to protect your financial benefits, how are you going to get the client to pay off what you’ve done? You have to have a record. Write the minuets in the clients need brief, send a contract that client signs and keep one with your signature. Everything has to be clearly documented, from what the client has stated from day one. Also writing records before you meet with your group or the client is important because it clarifies things and be able to clearly communicate and agree with the group or client.

For our group project we have been keeping records from day one on what has to be done and we have been communication with one another on face to face meetings as well as emails which we always send to everyone so everyone has a record. In a situation where we are in a class and we are working in groups, we take records and confirm it in emails and they sent back what we agreed to do or disagreed before we commence doing any work we commutate with one another as we would if we were in the workforce.




So how did we select what elements to place on records? The elements we choose to go on record are things like our set time frame and planning. Also any changes we have made throughout our fabrication while modeling our building we chose which is the Wombarra house also we have documented what has changed in our progress like all the problems we were having while putting the max file into UT3.

I think the things that we have left out was a record on our progression weekly or fortnightly such as record dates and descriptions of work and who took the minuets on that day or who produced that work. We have not documented what we have contributed to the project in written form nor signed off on what we have submitted or produced weekly; in terms of the inbuilt project and for our presentations. We also found that we didn’t need our recorded history of our conversations on msn, even though it’s a good chat site we found that not everyone was on at the same time and other group members didn’t particularly like using it, so we decided that we could benefit from out recorded emails and note taking during meetings.

End of Cettina's Presentation.

RECORD

Record

I have found a video on keeping good records and the importance in keeping records in the work place. It is an OH&S video called “Stop chasing your tail” [1] which is based on safety in a construction site but it relates to our discussion today on the topic record.

With the help of my group members they were able to help me cut the important scenes that we needed that were relevant we created our own simple video for you guys to view.
This 3 minuet video helps you understand what happens if you don’t have records in the workplace and what could happen if it goes to court; it also shows that if you communication and collaboration of coworkers it can help prevent problems in the future. Also this video shows how workers are using job diaries and writing everything down as they go day to day and they are also getting it signed off.

This video shows how coworkers are communicating with one another and how they learned to keep records in the simplest way by compromising with one another and that’s what working together is all about. If you have everything documented, if it reaches the court you will be protected financially and reputation too.

The term Record refers to keeping good records, to deliver what the project needs, the project managers has to make sure the client has everything so keeping good records is extremely important.

The principles are all exactly the same; the process is much the same, “He who writes the minuets controls the project” [2]. “Why do we need to write minuets? Will you ever have a client who doesn’t change his/her mind? The client is not always entirely sure of what they want and can frequently change their mind, they don’t have a brief, the client can always disagree and say that its not what they wanted, the lack of communication with the client becomes a major factor when we undertake a project and there was no record taken then there is no evidence” [3]. “Therefore it is important to keep records from day one, so as we document properly we are able to deliver exactly what the client wants, record everything, don’t be afraid to write everything, hand it back to the client in a contract form so the client can sign it. How are you going to protect your financial benefits, how are you going to get the client to pay off what you’ve done? You have to have a record. Write the minuets in the clients need brief, send a contract that client signs and keep one with your signature” [4] everything has to be clearly documented, from what the client has stated from day one. ‘This is what you have asked for, it is all in the minuets Mr. Client’ and ‘we have delivered exactly what you want as it was all recorded. This proves clearly that the needs have all been delivered and through record management we receive our financial gain from client. “We manage the project, we write it down and throw it back to them, if you cant write it, walk away, Everything ahs to be documented like ‘what your going to do’ ‘what its going to look like’ and ‘how your going to get paid’. If you have all that documented, if it reaches the court you will be protected financially and reputation too” [5}.


“How do you protect yourself? You present something to the client; the client accepts it and agrees with you, you send it back to them on paper, your record. Get a job diary-update it ever morning you do the contract on the notes you take. Using memos or faxes or emails always do the contract and send to them ASAP, so no matter what everything is in contract”[6].

Also try to write the minuets before a meeting to clarify things and be able to clearly communicate and agree with the client, this will help the designer and the client to understand what is happening with the project and it’s all a matter of the client to sign it once it’s in contract.

So how did we select what elements to place on records? The elements we choose to go on record are things like our set time frame and planning. Also any changes we have made throughout our fabrication while modeling our building we chose which is the Wombarra house also we have documented what has changed in our progress like all the problems we were having while putting the max file into UT3.

I think the things that we have left out was a record on our progression weekly or fortnightly such as record dates and descriptions of work and who took the minuets on that day or who produced that work. We have not documented what we have contributed to the project in written form nor signed off on what we have submitted or produced weekly; in terms of the inbuilt project and for our presentations. We also found that we didn’t need our recorded history of our conversations on msn, even though it’s a good chat site we found that not everyone was on at the same time and other group members didn’t particularly like using it, so we decided that we could benefit from out recorded emails and note taking during meetings.


References:

[1] Video “Stop chasing your tail” provided by the master builders association, video workshop used from BLDG2280 class OH&S in the built environment Lectures Victor Lin.
[2] Guest speaker on record in week 5, notes recorded on Wednesday 16-4-2008 in class.
[3] Guest speaker on record in week 5, notes recorded on Wednesday 16-4-2008 in class.
[4] Guest speaker on record in week 5, notes recorded on Wednesday 16-4-2008 in class.
[5] Guest speaker on record in week 5, notes recorded on Wednesday 16-4-2008 in class.
[6] Guest speaker on record in week 5, notes recorded on Wednesday 16-4-2008 in class.

INTENT

Intent

What is intent? Intent is when you are intending on doing something, is someone’s intending to finish that project, and they intend to show that this is a floral theme or in a different example someone’s intent of this painting was to be an abstract piece... There is so many ways in explaining what intent is although it always has the same intent!

What is intent? The intension is “we intent to create a classical auditorium”[1]
“The intent is to make a certain building relate…the intent to have a new facility”[2]. The intent must be clear, what is the intent of making this building? “We want to make it enjoyable, to preserve the old building and unite with the new”[3]. Intent is what is your intension what do you want to communicate to your audience or with your client? “The design has to talk to you, what is it trying to communicate? We want it to fulfill your intent! We have to communicate to clients, lawyers, consultants, men on site who will build this building. The intent to communicate with a universal language that speaks to all” [4]. Architects can build a model to display what they intend to build.

The guest speaker we had in week seven explained about intent and he also made examples using a project that has been built on campus ground called ‘Project X’ which was a giant serpent which was traveling through the stairs and towards the Scienta at the engineering faculty. The people involved in this project has an intent to design it and build by the deadline, they built a model to show their intent, they worked out a work flow, they also realized theory were not going to make a deadline, so their intension was to focus as their intention was to finish it in real life and they did. The peoples intention was to work together, communicate with one another to find the best way on how it could be built and how they could show their intent in the best possible way, the guest speaker said “they also had an intension to be disrespectful using the serpent that was traveling to the Scienta which was designed by an Architect who they believed his designs were too restrictive” [5].
The serpent was completed in July 2007. One thing that was brought to my attention was what the guest speaker said “ when a person has an intension to do something, it doesn’t matter what your intention is, if people are not collaborating and working equally and doing their job properly and they stuff up then the intend you wanted doesn’t happen”[6]. Therefore it is very important to have an intension on what has to be done, its important that you communicate your intent and that you communicate it to the workers and everyone that is involved, to have communication and then collaboration sets in so then the intension can be fulfilled.

Reference:
[1] Guest speaker on week 7 talk on “Intent” Wednesday the 30th of April
[2] Guest speaker on week 7 talk on “Intent” Wednesday the 30th of April
[3] Guest speaker on week 7 talk on “Intent” Wednesday the 30th of April
[4] Guest speaker on week 7 talk on “Intent” Wednesday the 30th of April
[5] Guest speaker on week 7 talk on “Intent” Wednesday the 30th of April
[6] Guest speaker on week 7 talk on “Intent” Wednesday the 30th of April