Management BUCUR SIMONA ANDREEA, REI 9 18 [628776]

Management BUCUR SIMONA ANDREEA, REI 9 18

Managerial Project – “Me, the Product and the Team ”
1. Project description from own perspective
The idea of the project came out of nowhere, while we were talking about what we
should do, in Sabina ’s room(you know that all the great ideas came from small rooms or
garages). Everything starts, I might recognize, from a j oke. (Sabina was drink ing h er still
water with a straw and Radu told her that she might forget how to drink with a glass if
she continues to drink with the straw) .
To get to the point, our product is a straw -incorporated -glass. What does it m ean? Well,
we wanted to create a product that can help, for sure, the problem with straw floating
upward . We t hought this issue can be really frustrating, especiall y when you serve a
bubble drink , and we came up with a solution. The glass that have already a straw stick
on it! What is really important is that this concept of straw -incorporated -glass can be
developed furthermore , so we can always innovate it. This product can be executed in
almost all dimensions , and can be easily personalized with all kind of logos and printed
thematic pictures.
We were aware that this invention already exist s on the market , but we fully agreed that
is under -evaluated. So, creating awareness about issues like hygiene, frustrating situat ion
when the straw doesn ’t stay still and of course, environmental issues -we need to
recognize that when we use a standard straw we have the tendency to throw it . So,
being sticked to the glass, or to the the cape -glass , can protect the environment because
we will not throw them away anymore .
Searching more about what this business might imply, we discovered that we have a
comp etitve advantage . Radu told us that is in good terms with the manager of a plastic
factory in Tulcea county . He told us that he can provide the raw materials needed for
extra cheaper costs because the factory alrea dy produces with a cheaper cost than the
average market prices . The main reason for this lowest production prices is for sure their
good posit ion-they don ’t have to pay such a huge rent and because almost everything is
automatized and they don ’t need to pay so many wages. In this way, we thought that
we can manage to st art our production in this factory . The manager of this company,
being in such good terms with Rad u could eventua lly give us fully ownership.
Regarding the four manage rial functions we devided one for each. So, Eva took the
Planning Function, Radu took the Organizing Function, I took the Leading one and
Sabina took the Controlling Function. Before to take them individually we discussed on
our first meeting what is our common vision on each of it in order to facilitate the
individual research. I must say that even if we had those, let ’s say, individual concepts ,

Management BUCUR SIMONA ANDREEA, REI 9 18

we managed somehow to interconnect our ideas for every and each ste p. We had a lot
of new ideas and improvements that weren ’t planned – in this moment we realized that
great ideas came when you eventually really start to work and execute your initial plan.
P.S: Even if it wasn ’t planned, we created a write fully scenario of selling and negotiating
for our product !
Our common vision regarding the managerial functions
PLANNING was the very first step that we discussed about. It implie s our commitment
and desire to come up with an idea, our objectives and our goals and last but not least
our potential customers .
ORGANIZING was the second step that we took into consideration and it is all about
how we met, where, how we allocate resources and where can we find cheaper raw
materials and how the production is truly happening.
LEADING was t he third movement that we did it. We were aware of this function since
the p roject starts because we thought that leading is about the methods in which we
reach our goals, what motivated us and keeps us alert, how we work to gether and how
we put our heads together and also how we overcome our differences.
CONTROLLING was the final part, w here we analyze ou r results, comparing the product
that we initially wanted to have it and the final one, and the comparative advantage of
our start -up straw -incorporated -glass business.
We supervised all this functions both collectively and individually and we glanced an eye
on the idea that they are really connected and if one function is unstable it can affect for
sure the other ones.
2. Description of own work role
Regarding my own role, I must say that I made research on what I had to do (leading
function) and I tried to implement what is most suitable for us. I was really focused on
what it was needed to be done by me but sometimes I was bysed by other factors, as my
team -mates needs and I actively participated in the action plan. I strongly underline that
everything was made and team verified, so probably all of us will say that we together
contributed equally for everything. Because I felt a little upset because I couldn ’t manage
to come up with an idea and to help in finding some ideas for our project I managed to
cover all the design part for the bureaucracy . I made a Booklet of our work after all of us
put on the paper their responsibilities and thoughts and also I tried to cover the
marketing needs for our business. I really must say that my team was always supporting

Management BUCUR SIMONA ANDREEA, REI 9 18

me and we couldn ’t manage to finalize the project if we wouldn ’t have been so
communicative and willing to achieve our goals.
For the execution part I came up with the idea for the second model of glass, having the
straw in the middle of the cap. The idea was fully supported by the team, especially Eva
encouraged me to realize it. Radu helped me with scissors and glue and Sabina gave me
the confidence that I needed to finis h the second product prototype.

3. Description of the roles of the team
Everything starts collectively , with a brainstorming. The one who came up with the idea
was Eva and then Radu and Sabina began to suggest ways of improving the idea. Also,
everyone, especially Radu took the duty to find the best resources and to provide them
in the execution plan (scissors, duct tape, glue, knives and so on) . It was amazing that he
managed to find the cheaper factory of plastic glasses and also to assure us that we can
rely on it if we would start such a business for real. He also gave us ideas for potential
customers and reasons of e xpanding our business strategy even on thematic bars that
they don ’t really us e plastic glasses.
Sabina took the whole output every time we met to discuss about our project. Without
her we probably might have lost in our thoughts and ideas and nothing good would hit
the end. Also, she fully need the get recog nition for the fi rst prototype of glass, the one
which is made with duct tape. I really admired her perseverance and getting the product
done. She firstly sticked the straw with glue but nothing good came out of it and then,
after several attempts , she managed to pu t the staw with duct tape .
Eva was the one who established where to me et each other and when , and also the one
who always created a friendly atmosphere . She underlined the idea of following the plan
that she almost implemented by her self and th is was for sure one of the best idea that
stick us focused to the project. Also, she helped us with the manually work, stucking the
cap-glasses and fixing the straw on the glass.

4. What I learnt from this project
I must say that this project wa s one of my favorite ever. I’ve learnt how to combine good
vibes with hard working and I’ve found out h ow amazing is to achieve a goal within a
team.

Management BUCUR SIMONA ANDREEA, REI 9 18

Even if I wasn ’t so delighted at first by this project idea , I gradually discovered how
amazing it is. I gained interest even since I found my team -mates because they all are
good students and I thought that I have a lot to learn from them. And, as I thought, it
happened. They are fantastic people, with great conceptions and I realized that they are
really trust fully guys. I never thought that I could cope so efficiently with three different
persons, and to synchronize my beliefs and actions with theirs. Really, but really, ever
since I started the university I have n’t found such great people and I am a little
disappointed by myself because I haven ’t interacted so much with them until now.
Personally, this project helped me to understan d how important is to have someone who
always trust your plans and actions and also how crucially is to understand to work in a
team. In fact, working in this team mad e me realize how easy is t o achieve a personal
goal if you can associate it with a common one.
Critical for our team healthy climate and the effective process was the strong
communication skills that we had it. We communicated both online and face to face. In
this friendly environment I open -up myself really easily and I expressed my feelings as
they were . I learn t to listen carefully to others and to ac cept negative and positive
feedback. The number one rule that we set i t up, to talk about everyting we have in mind
helped us to overcome our fear of talking. All of us knew that unspoken assum ption and
issues can be very distructive to productive group functioning. So, from speaking up my
mind helped me to understand the role of initiat e conversations and the sense how
others feel based on their body language, their non -verbal communication.
So, basically, being part of this team helped me to combine my individual expression with
the team desire. I ’ve learnt to share mutual trust because ev eryone was willing to self –
disclose and to be honest and respectful. I ’ve also learnt how to support and to gain
support to accomplish our common goals. I suppose that not just me, but everyone in the
team learnt to give and receive respect. We understand that is c rucially needed to focus
on question like “what can we learn ” rather than “who is to blame ”. So, in this way a lot
of constructive feedback can enhance your personality and actions.
To conclude, I want to say that this project helped me not only to achieve a greater goal
but also to discover myself in terms of working into a team. I really appreciate that we
can still learn by putting the theory into practice, and I want to thank you, teacher , that
you care about our self -development and p ut us in such conditions that we can realize
how important is to deal with other people.