How soft skills can change their lives

Some soft skills we have mentioned in this story are not all but extremely vital, such as Communication skill, Teamwork Skill, Writing Skill, Time management Skill, … After completing th

FACULTY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Nguyễn Lâm Phương - 2012250056 Phan Hà Phương - 2012250057 Trần Ánh Phương - 2012250058 Trịnh Hải Quang - 2012250059 Trương Tú Quyên - 2013250025 Nguyễn Lê Mai Quỳnh - 2012250060 Nguyễn Kim Thanh - 2013250027 Nguyễn Quang Phúc Thành - 2012250062 Nguyễn Phúc Nhị Thảo - 2012250063

Class: PPHE101(1+2.2/2021)CLC.3 Lecturers: Mr Hoàng Anh Duy

Mrs Phạm Thị Mỹ Dung

Hanoi – 6/2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT 3

INTRODUCTION 4

1 Purpose 4

2 Research objectives 4

3 Research method 4

4 Scope of the study 4

LITERATURE REVIEWS 5

1 Time-management skill 5

2 Teamwork skill 7

3 Communication skill and Listening skill 8

4 Writing skill 11

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 13

1 Topic approach 13

2 Research method 13

3 Analysis method 14

4 Method of making video 14

FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS 15

1 Findings 15

2 Storyline 16

3 Explanation about the name “TODAY: TRANSFORMATION” 16

4 Script 16

RECOMMENDATION 23

CONCLUSION 25

REFERENCES 26

APPENDICES 27

1 Group member list 27

2 Credit 27

3 Task division 27

ABSTRACT

Transform has never been an effortless thing for whoever What makes a successful person sometimes be a failure, disappointment and agony Sometimes they are blood, sweat and tears And our story is a great example for all of them

Lucy, Joe and Sania, three main characters as each of them has differences backgrounds One day, all of them register the Financial Economy Contest and realize their lack of soft skills when being grouped in a team Troubles occurred when they can’t decide what topic they gonna do To improve the situation, they join a Skill Development workshop with the goal of winning the contest Thanks to their continuous attempt as well as the experience they learned from the course, Lucy, Joe and Sania finally become the winner of the Financial Economy Contest and then achieved meritorious success

Through the story, we want to transmit a message about the importance of soft skills

In the modern world, only academic knowledge seems not enough for someone who wants to achieve success Therefore, soft skills are very essential for all of us to develop our potential in different aspects, not only just in academic issues Some soft skills we have mentioned in this story are not all but extremely vital, such as Communication skill, Teamwork Skill, Writing Skill, Time management Skill, …

After completing the course of the Skills Development, we would like to make this report to present our entire process working in our group, from the initial idea to our final product, this video

INTRODUCTION

1 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to emphasize the important role of soft skills in life for someone who wants to develop herself/ himself, because we experienced the difficulties in lacking of soft skills during studying process and we understand that feeling Besides, we have some suggestions about a lot of methods to improve soft skills through the knowledge we got in this course This report also has a view to presenting the whole process of our group working together to make a final product, a short film

named: “Today: Transformation”

2 Research objectives

Firstly, express our messages about the important role of soft skills through the

story of participating in a contest of a student group

Secondly, encourage young people to appreciate the importance of soft skills and

enhance their soft skills to have a better and happier life with more successes

Thirdly, analyze and answer the question: “How soft skills can change their lives?”

3 Research method

The mid-term assignment of making a video to express the skills learned through the Skill Development Course is one of the most effective educational methods due to a long process that group members work together to find, discuss and develop ideas and finally manage to accomplish this assignment

4 Scope of the study

During the process of working together to make a video as well as make this report, our group has applied most of skills we achieved from the course, including:

+ Teamwork skill

+ Time-management skill

+ Communication skill and Listening skill

+ Writing skill

LITERATURE REVIEWS

“Soft skills have been defined in different contexts and included different aspects,

as per numerous authors at various times Soft skills are nontechnical and not reliant on abstract reasoning, involving interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities to facilitate mastered performance in particular contexts (Hurrell, Scholarios, & Thompson, 2012) Parente, John Stephan, and Randy Brown (2012) defined soft skills as people

management skills Fogle (2011) while defining soft skills included “teaming skills” in

its purview in addition to communication and social skills In addition to this Hargis

(2011) classified “work ethic, critical thinking, and problem-solving” skills as part and

parcel of soft skills”

The word “skill” indicates the practical function The term alone has a broad

meaning, and describes a particular ability to complete tasks ranging from a simple one

like “learning how to kick a ball” to a complicated one like “learning how to be creative”

In this specific instance, the word “skill” has to be interpreted as the ability to master actions

The word “soft” is the antonym of “hard”, and implies “subject” Because of their

subjectivity, soft skills are hardly assessed, and never fully mastered In addition, vagueness explains why soft skills are not always clearly understood by employers and employees

In twenty-one centuries, soft skills have played an important role for the benefit

of the society and there have been numerous studies on the same to report that it became

a combination of soft skills along with hard skills to hone the personality of an individual and very importantly for graduates or students seeking employability to bridge the gap between campus and corporate on essential skills required by the employers

After learning the course of “Skills Development” in Foreign Trade University,

we have learned five of the most important skills, which are Time-management skill, Teamwork skill, Communication skill, Listening skill, Writing skill

1 Time-management skill

1.1 Definition

“Time management” refers to the way that you organize and plan how long you

spend on specific activities In other words, people who are good at time management

are good at getting on and doing things They are also, however, better at prioritizing, and working out what really needs doing—and then discarding the other things Time management skills are important because they help you structure your work in a way that allows you to accomplish goals It involves juggling acts of various demands upon

a person relating to work, social life, family, hobbies, personal interests and commitments with the finiteness of time Time management may be aided by a range of tools and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects, and goals complying with a due date

1.2 Time-management tools

Time-management is not the skill that you help when you were born, this skill comes through practice There are many useful tools that support people to manage their time effectively Use the tool and start practice time managing, this is some common tool used to manage time:

+ Deadline: A deadline is a time or date before which a particular task must be

finished or a particular thing must be done Use the deadline for every task of your work

or your study, then make sure you do not pass that, the result is you will not miss or delay any tasks of your work This is the most common tool that many companies and schools use to manage the time or the process of the job

+ Timetable: It’s very common for people to have a timetable for their job and

school, but the majority of people ignore the potential of it If you can make a detailed timetable, you can make your work in time management a lot easier There are some apps nowadays that help you to make your Timetable optimal and effective such as google calendar, Trello, sunrise, etc

+ The Eisenhower Decision Matrix: It enables you to work out what to do first,

and what can be left either until later or not done at all For example, if you leave an urgent but unimportant task, you may find that it becomes unnecessary

Picture 1: The Eisenhower Decision Matrix

2 Teamwork skill

2.1 Definition

Teamwork skills are the qualities and abilities that allow you to work well with others during conversations, projects, meetings or other collaborations Having teamwork skills is dependent on your ability to communicate well, actively listen and

be responsible and honest

2.2 The importance of teamwork skill

You will be required to work alongside others in every industry at every level in your career Doing so in an empathetic, efficient and responsible manner can help you accomplish career goals, grow your resume and contribute positively to your organization It can also help you build rapport with others Building rapport can lead to deeper working relationships, new connections and possibly new opportunities

2.3 How to improve teamwork skill

While it can take time and work to improve soft skills such as teamwork, it is certainly possible to build these qualities Here are a few steps you can take to improve your teamwork skills:

+ Get honest feedback: It can be difficult to identify your own areas of

improvement Finding a trusted friend, colleague or mentor that can offer you honest feedback about your teamwork strengths and weaknesses can help you improve them

+ Set personal goals: Using both your own observations and feedback from

others to form achievable, relevant and time-constrained goals can help you improve

one teamwork skill at a time Using the SMART goal framework is an easy way to set appropriate goals for your career

+ Practice: It takes time and practice to see improvements in your skill set Pay

close attention to your teamwork interactions throughout the day both in and out of work Take mindful steps to practice the specific qualities you are trying to build

+ Mimic others with strong teamwork skills: When you see examples of great

teamwork, take note and identify why the interaction stood out to you Apply those qualities in your own interactions when working with others

Developing teamwork skills can help you both in your career and when seeking new opportunities Take time to evaluate your current skill set and identify areas for improvement With time and practice, you can begin building a strong set of teamwork skills

3 Communication skill and Listening skill

3.1 Definition

Communication skills are the ability to deliver messages that are received and understood by the target audiences The term often applies to someone’s faculty of exchanging information effectively with another person or group, in a verbal, non-verbal,

or written way

Communication is presented in most of every activity of our lives We usually exchange ideas, opinions, requirements and feelings with many people around us, not only verbally but also through devices such as computers and smartphones In business,

being a good communicator is particularly relevant E-mails, phone calls, meetings, speeches, videoconferences, presentations and face to face conversations are all different ways of communication

The development and strengthening of communication skills are Therefore, a key attribute for most employees in these times to do their jobs more productively It is not only about words and content because other elements such as body language and facial expressions also take part in the process When the communication is written, graphics, tables, and pictures might adequately support explanations and ideas Even the selection of the channel sometimes communicates how important the message and the audience are for the communicator For example, a very significant announcement is supposed to be made person-to-person instead of using an electronic chat

3.2 Some important communication skills

+ Listening: Being a good listener is one of the best ways to be a good

communicator Listening means paying attention not only to the story, but how it is told, the use of language and voice, and how the other person uses his or her body In other words, it means being aware of both verbal and non-verbal messages Your ability to listen effectively depends on the degree to which you perceive and understand these messages

+ Nonverbal Communication: Your body language, eye contact, hand gestures,

and tone of voice all color the message you are trying to convey A relaxed, open stance (arms open, legs relaxed), and a friendly tone will make you appear approachable and will encourage others to speak openly with you Eye contact is also important; you want

to look the person in the eye to demonstrate that you are focused on them and the conversation Also, pay attention to other people's nonverbal signals while you are talking Often, nonverbal cues convey how a person is really feeling For example, if the person is not looking you in the eye, he or she might be uncomfortable or hiding the truth

+ The tone of voice: Use the right tone of voice for each suitable situation and

position, don’t yell or be rude with people, the tone of voice is the key to express your emotion and show your respect with other people

+ Clarity and Concision: Good verbal communication means saying just enough

– don’t talk too much or too little Try to convey your message in as few words as possible Say what you want clearly and directly, whether you're speaking to someone

in person, on the phone, or via email If you ramble on, your listener will either tune you out or will be unsure of exactly what you want

+ Confidence: It is important to be confident in your interactions with others The

confidence of you shows people that you trust what you said Moreover, you can speak more fluency and attract the listener with high confidence

+ Open-Mindedness: A good communicator should enter into any conversation

with a flexible, open mind Being open-minded, however, goes beyond accepting new ideas or expressing flexibility It includes the understanding that sometimes your expertise can only go so far – and that’s okay with whom you disagree, you will be able

to have more honest, productive conversations

+ Respect: People will be more open to communicating with you if you convey

respect for them and their ideas Simple actions like using a person's name, making eye contact, and actively listening when a person speaks will make the person feel appreciated On the phone, avoid distractions and stay focused on the conversation Convey respect through email by taking the time to edit your message If you send a sloppily written, confusing email, the recipient will think that you do not respect her enough to think through your communication with her

3.3 Principles of communicating effectively

+ ABC principle:

A: Accuracy: Accuracy means two things: Accurate in the sense of being

factually accurate and in the sense of using accurate grammar Accurate facts: always check your facts and your sources The world is full of fake news and the responsibility is on you to ensure that what you say is factually accurate Accurate grammar: your facts may be accurate, but your grammar may be ambiguous You need to be sure your writing is accurate in both content and grammatical structure

B: Brevity: The message must be sufficiently brief If you present too

much information, then most people will be put off So that cut all essential items

non-C: Clarity: Clear means clearly defined All concepts must be clearly

defined

+ 5C and 7C Principle: To conduct effective verbal communication, the 5C and

7C principles can be applied The 5C includes: Clear, Concise, Complete, Correct and Courteous The 7C principle is the same as the 5C but with two more aspects which are Consistency and Cautious

4 Writing skill

4.1 Definition

Writing skills include all the knowledge and abilities related to expressing ideas through the written word The ability to clearly communicate ideas through writing is in high demand for employers in any industry Well-written documents, emails and posts can persuade customers to purchase a product or convince investors to partner with a company

Technical knowledge about writing conventions, style guides and formatting for different situations are also an important part of writing skills Knowing what situations call for different styles of writing and being able to set an appropriate tone over text are both important writing skills that any person can use at work

4.2 The importance of writing skill

Writing skills are important because they allow people to get a point across without being physically present Many employers get their first impression of future employees through the writing skills they display in their resume, cover letter and email communications

Writing skills influence the quality of your work and how others perceive your professionalism, which can have a direct effect on your ability to get an interview and excel at work Writing skills are transferrable, so developing a strong understanding of writing processes allows you to maintain clear communication and accurate documentation in any workplace

4.3 Tips on improving writing skill

While some people are naturally talented at writing, anyone can develop their writing skills over time Once you understand the different types of writing skills, you can focus on how you use them in the workplace and improve over time Identify your strongest writing skills and develop strategies to improve those skills to a professional level:

+ Take grammar quizzes

+ Know your audience

+ Read your writing aloud

+ Vary your sentence structure

+ Practice daily

+ Read regularly

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1 Topic approach

To come up with this topic, we use a simple way to analyze what we have learned

during the “Skills Development course” in Foreign Trade University as well as apply

our observations and research results into our work After a lot of interesting and beneficial exercises, the lecture gave us the knowledge of many useful soft skills which are teamwork skill, communication skill, time management skill, etc This is the foundation of our topic then we use some research tools to know the trend and the interest of people With useful research results and a steady knowledge foundation, we start brainstorming, analyzing and testing our idea Finally, our group all agreed that

“Today: Transformation” would be our midterm topic

2 Research method

Most of our data basically came from online sources We collected our data with some useful tools that are available on the Internet such as online papers, online books, social media and some social listening apps As for academic knowledge, we visit some academic websites which are in the reference part of this report and most important the

skill development materials which were provided by our teachers in “Skills development course” - Mr Hoang Anh Duy and Mrs Pham Thi My Dung To make our work more

interesting, we used social media platforms as research tools to have understanding about people’s preference and the current trends Facebook is the most popular social media in Vietnam that we can gather a lot of useful information We also use TikTok –

a brandnew social media platform which recently has attracted a lot of attention to know what is trendy and popular now Besides, we also question surrounding people by giving them a survey and asking them face to face, but due to the effect of COVID-19, we just used this method as the secondary tools

The length of our research lasted for around one week First, we started by listing our assumptions of what people care about and some promising topic that we can use for our video Then, we verified our assumptions by questioning people and searching

on the internet It gave us raw research results that we categorized and analyzed it

we can make sure that our video has enough information and interesting materials After knowing all what is worth to have it in our video, our group together voted to choose the most suitable ones for our midterm video

4 Method of making video

Since the time that we started doing this group project was when COVID-19 pandemic came back to Vietnam, we could not film or set up a meeting to make a live-action video However, after brainstorming together, our group decided to film separately and then edit those unconnected screens to make a complete video named

“Today: Transformation” As for some screens that could not film separately, we chose

to use Microsoft Teams as a tool to meet up online and record them There are reasons for us to apply this kind of method We want to have real life materials in our video so that the video can be more convincing Moreover, our group aims to use those stories

we collected from real life in the midterm video to make it as real as possible We believe that we can make an interesting video that can deliver the message we want to the target audiences