This past Friday was the final day withdraw from a 16-week course for Spring 2024. Though no student exercised this option, not all eighteen students are keeping up with their IS101 coursework. I hope those handful of students will rectify that soonest able.
On the other end of the spectrum: this Saturday morning as Glenda and Haridev (Dev) are batting Bonus Quiz 9 with Glenda taking the pole position, Kiet was conquering MO-310 PowerPoint certification exam, becoming the first Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate in IS101-3002, Spring 2024! I am so proud of this ambitious young man :-)
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Alonso (El Zo) gave us An Introduction to Residential Air Filters and Joshua shared his favorite music band Red Hot Chili Pepper with the class. I concluded the class with the first half of my lecture/demonstration 4: Key Excel and Spreadsheet Analysis Concepts. The second half contains one of my favorite walkthroughs for IS101, I can't wait until next week.
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Students' "More Fun with Functions" workbooks with 100% are slowing trickling in. The Digital Literacy program director would be proud. Dev and Srikalyani (Sri) have even sent in A6 Spreadsheet Analysis with Trailer ahead of schedule, making me very proud ^_^
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Students,
(1) How was/is your experience with "More Fun with Functions" compare with that with "Fun with FUNctions"? Did it get more easier? More Fun?
(2) Please read this short article:
Cinema Chain Sees Bad Movie Script Play Out As It Loses Millions In Email Scam
By Martijn Grooten
Nov 12, 2018, 3:12 pm EST
***I extracted the article content into a PDF attached to D10 in Canvas for a clean reading experience for you***
(i) Do you think Pathé's Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should have been fired/dismissed?
(ii) Do you think their firing/dismissal was fair?
(iii) If you were the CEO or CFO, would you expect to keep your job or be fired/dismissed?
(1) How was/is your experience with "More Fun with Functions" compare with that with "Fun with FUNctions"? Did it get easier? More Fun?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was interesting to do both "More Fun with Functions" and "Fun with FUNctions". Fun with Functions is more straightforward and able to get it down without much time. More function with function is also same except one function on references. Overall, its quite interesting and challenging.
(2) Please read this short article:
(i) Do you think Pathé's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should have been fired/dismissed?
ANSWER: Considering the position as CEO and CFO, both should take the responsibilities on any of company's good performances as well as bad situations. CEO &CFO are considered as the role model for their employees, whom they inspire in their job. In such case, it's better for them to be fired.
(ii) Do you think their firing/dismissal was fair?
ANSWER: Firing is partially fair; based on their role and position they should take responsibility for what they have done and how it impacted the business. Even though CEO and CFO takes the partially responsibility, rest of it is with companies' failure to provide the training to the employees on the technologically safety issues and how it should be handled. So, it is advised to take the corrective action on training program by company. Also, organization should give at least basic overview to the top management as what is going on their company's operation.
(iii) If you were the CEO or CFO, would you expect to keep your job or be fired/dismissed?
ANSWER: If I am CEO/CFO, I would try to prove my innocence if I haven't caused the problem. But in this case, it's the problem with CEO/CFO, since they failed to check the validity on the email from whom it came. It's the huge transaction and it requires more analysis before actioning on the request. It's the problem from CEO/CFO, taking responsibility, I would resign myself from this role.
(1) My experience with "More Fun with Functions" was attractive. Absolutely loath the whole worksheet. I'd be lying if I said I don't have something running Windows anything but the old Toshiba sounds like it's going to die every time I power it on. An application takes forever to load, an old anti-virus Mcaffe, practically has a watermark on the home screen, so I use Mac instead. More knowledgeable in its software/shortcuts And interface. The first worksheet was surprisingly easy, then the new one took so long. I'm practically long overdue. I understood the questions were getting the correction solutions, but it wouldn't say correct. So I put it aside for a long while until I was finally able to get something done.
ReplyDelete(2)I strongly believe in the saying practice what you preach. Too many times, I hear people give advice or advocate for something and I see them go and do the thing they're saying not to do. Apologizing shows empathy and remorse for one's action, however, when the apology is said after being caught. Well it's hard to believe it's as genuine, mainly because you're only sorry because you got caught. This should not take away from the fact that you should take responsibility for their action. For both the CEO & CFO of Pathe, their actions were clearly planned and didn't happen because of their mistake. So, respectfully they made their board made the right choice.
(II) Firing them was fair. I don't believe most employees would respect or protect their bosses knowing actions like those are being committed. It's disrespectful towards their customers and, even more, their employees.
(III) As an aspiring CEO, I strongly believe in leading by example. If I had committed the same action as them, I would publically apologize and resign. We live in a world where everyone and anyone can fact-check so it's incredibly hard to hide mistakes & malicious actions. Eventually, someone will speak out, so it's better to be transparent as soon as you realize or others confront you about those mistakes.
1. For me "Fun with Functions" was good practice but the "More Fun with Functions" was frustrating trying to get the absolute and relative cell references to work. I think it was since I have a really hard time seeing all the periods, commas, dollar signs etc. in the fields as my ole eyes are going. I believe Excel is for younger folks since I truly miss a lot of the little nuances and get frustrated with the little formula things I miss when reviewing the formulas since I can't tell if it's a comma or period or which quote applies to which element or delimiter.
ReplyDelete2. (i) In today's modern world, as a CEO, CFO or COO, one has to be held to a higher standard than normal company employees since not only are they paid more they also have higher education levels. They set company standards and enforce them. In my past experience, the higher management are the worst at following the standards they set forth...for example pasting their passwords on sticky notes on their desktops. If CEOs and CFOs aren't held responsible, a double standard exists, and the company can't hold the rank and file to the same standards. It is well known that Hackers target the upper echelon of management so they should be on their toes.
(ii). Yes, it was fair. Employee training was provided to the rank and file, and if the higher ups failed to take it or deemed themselves above taking it, shame on them. If the higher ups had questions or fears, they have a duty to ask their staff for assistance or additional training since their mistakes have dire consequences to the company, its employees and its shareholders. Part of the high salaries they receive is being able to recognize the threats and being able to mitigate them. Yes, I am being harsh, but I am really fed up with high level management getting promoted and then claiming ignorance or being unprepared and getting off Scott free with "Golden parachutes" while the rank and file getting fire and fined or even jailed.
(iii) Simply put, I'd expect to be fired. I've found that nothing is so important that it much be done at light speed or in total secrecy. As CEO or CFO, in the performance of my duties, if I have questions, I have resources I can use, and I should never let Ego get in the way of my responsibilities to my employees, board and shareholders.
1. This answer might not be the answer that is wanted, but it was not fun at all. However, if you have someone like my dad who loves coding, it might be more fun, but coding is not my thing personally. However, it does help.
ReplyDelete2. (i) Whether the CEO and CFO of Pathe should have been fired or dismissed is a complex question that depends on various factors. While their negligence and lack of oversight allowed the email scam to occur, leading to significant financial losses, it is also important to consider the context of the situation. For instance, if the CEO and CFO were not directly involved in the scam and had no prior knowledge of it, it may be unfair to hold them solely responsible for the actions of a rogue employee. However, as the leaders of the organization, they are ultimately responsible for the company's financial health and security, and their negligence in this case may have put the company at risk. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider their dismissal as a possible outcome.
(ii) The fairness of their dismissal depends on the specific circumstances of the case. If it can be proven that the CEO and CFO were negligent in their duties and failed to provide adequate oversight and security measures, then their dismissal may be fair. However, if there are mitigating factors, such as a lack of resources or knowledge about the scam, then their dismissal may be considered unfair.
(iii) If I were the CEO or CFO, I would not expect to keep my job if it was found that I had been negligent in my duties and failed to provide adequate oversight and security measures to prevent the email scam. As a leader of the organization, I would be responsible for ensuring the company's financial health and security, and if I failed to do so, it would be reasonable for me to be held accountable for the consequences. That being said, I would also expect a thorough investigation to be conducted to determine the specific circumstances of the scam and the extent of my involvement in or knowledge of it. If there are mitigating factors that contributed to the scam, such as a lack of resources or knowledge, then I would expect these to be taken into account in any decision regarding my employment.
1) Based off my experience I personally didn't find it fun. While it was slightly easier to do than the first one, I still struggled on some formulas having to back track to the first "Fun with Functions" workbook to back track on what I did over there.
ReplyDelete2)
a. I think the CFO and CEO should have been dismissed because despite seeming unfair, it is his responsibility that costed the company millions of dollars. He should have verified that the email was legitimate because of how strange the request was, despite the email containing the same domain the company uses.
b. I think it was fair, if an employee lower on the branch would've made the same mistake, I guarantee he would've been fired immediately. A lot of people with higher power feel as if they don't need to take accountability.
c. I would expect to be fired if I were the CFO or CEO and made this mistake. If I didn't, I would certainly question the integrity of the company and wonder how many other times this has slipped through the cracks with no one taking accountability for such a big mistake costing millions.
1) It was fun but not like fun with functions because I faced struggles when getting the answers in more fun with functions.
ReplyDelete2) (i) I think they should have been fired, because holding those positions in a company is not a small task. They should be more responsible with their tasks.
(ii) I think it’s fair. If they can’t do their assigned tasks and if they are irresponsible like this why does a company keep them? CEO and CFO are at the management level of a company. After a company went through such a scam under their nose.
(iii) If I was on that position and if its happened under when I was working, I am responsible for that and I will resign the job and I will apologize. And whatever decision company makes I accept it
1) Although the questions were harder, having the experiencing of trying different formulas and having completed the first workbook made this one helped me navigate this challenging workbook.
ReplyDelete2i) I believe they should have been fired/dismissed. Having a vital role in the company, both the CFO and CEO are looked up to and caused a major setback to their company due to negligence.
2ii) It was fair for them to be fired/dismissed. Even though they were the CEO and CFO, making a mistake of that degree cannot be looked past. If they weren't fired, it wouldn't have been fair for their employees as they would've been fired if they were the ones who fell for the scam.
2iii) I would expect to be fired/dismissed if I were them. I would greatly apologize and reconcile for my actions, but it would be inevitable for me to lose my position.
1. Fun with Functions was tough at first, but once I began getting the correct answers during workbook checks, I found it enjoyable.
ReplyDelete2i) Do you think Pathé's Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should have been fired/dismissed?
Yes, the CEO and CFO should be held responsible for their actions, regardless of the company's cybersecurity measures weak or strong. At the onset of the first transaction, they should have verified if it was directed to a legitimate partner company, rather than neglecting to double-check it.
(ii) Do you think their firing/dismissal was fair?
Given the huge financial hit the company took, it is fair they will be held responsible. Their negligence was serious, given the size of the losses.
(iii) If you were the CEO or CFO, would you expect to keep your job or be fired/dismissed?
If I were in their shoes, I would not step down. I will rectify my mistakes by working tirelessly to assist the company in recovering from its losses. However, if the company decided to fired/dismissed me, I would accept their decision gracefully.
1."Fun with Functions" provided a decent challenge, but "More Fun with Functions" posed a bit more difficulty. Despite this, I managed to navigate through it with little trouble. While the absolute and relative cell references presented a slight challenge, I found ways to work around them. Despite some struggles, I was able to complete the tasks effectively. My eyesight may not be perfect, but I'm adept at spotting the nuances in Excel. Even though reviewing formulas can be tricky at times, I rarely miss any crucial details.
ReplyDelete2.In today's corporate world, I believe CEOs, CFOs, and COOs should be held to the same standards as regular employees. While they may earn more and have higher education levels, they shouldn't be burdened with unrealistic expectations. It's unfair to expect them to set and enforce company policies while overlooking the human aspect. Everyone makes mistakes, and senior management should be given the same leeway as others. After all, they're only human too.
3.I don't think it was fair. Employee training should be accessible to everyone, but expecting higher-ups to prioritize it over their other responsibilities seems unreasonable. They have demanding roles with multiple obligations, and they shouldn't be penalized for not attending training sessions. Besides, their experience and expertise often outweigh the need for formal training. It's unfair to hold them to a higher standard when they already have a lot on their plates. If I were in such a situation, I wouldn't expect to be fired. As a CEO or CFO, I understand the pressures of the job and the need to make quick decisions. Sometimes, mistakes happen, but that doesn't mean I should lose my job over it. Instead, I would expect understanding and support from the board and shareholders. After all, I'm only human, and everyone deserves a second chance.
(1) How was/is your experience with "More Fun with Functions" compare with that with "Fun with FUNctions"? Did it get more easier? More Fun?
ReplyDeleteMore Fun with Functions was easier than Fun with FUNctions. I believe one of the hardest parts of this assignment was truly trying to understand what it was asking me to do, but once I got over that hurdle it came pretty naturally. Since I did not have to go through the “what is this asking of me” phase, it went by significantly faster than Fun with FUNctions did.
(i) Do you think Pathé's Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should have been fired/dismissed?
I believe that the CEO and CFO should have been fired. I understand that it was not directly their fault, but they oversee everything and need to take responsibility for their company. Their negligence in the incident is enough to make the decision.
(ii) Do you think their firing/dismissal was fair?
Regarding fairness, if it was determined that the CEO and CFO were directly responsible for failing to implement adequate cybersecurity measures or for neglecting warnings about potential scams, their dismissal might have been deemed fair from a corporate perspective. However, if they were unaware of the vulnerabilities or had taken reasonable precautions that were passed by sophisticated cybercriminals, their dismissal might be seen as harsh.
(iii) If you were the CEO or CFO, would you expect to keep your job or be fired/dismissed?
If I were the CEO or CFO, I would prioritize implementing robust cybersecurity protocols and ensuring that employees receive thorough training on identifying and responding to potential threats. In the event of a breach, I would expect a thorough investigation to determine the root causes and an assessment of my actions and responsibilities. If I had acted diligently and in accordance with best practices, I would hope to retain my position.
1) More Fun with Functions was more challenging then the original Fun with Functions but the added challenge helped me further understand Excel. I do think it can be easier in some ways and harder then others as you have to find the exact function it asks for.
ReplyDelete2a) Given the amount of money lost from the scam itself, it makes sense that the company fired the CEO and CFO as they lost the company millions of euros by falling for social engineering. I think they did deserve it as some due diligence should be required when you are that high up in a company.
2b) I'd say it is fair given how high up they were in the company. Some better training could of helped allevate the problem but i feel like the CFO should ensure the funds they are sending are going to the correct place given the nature of their role.
2c) I'd expect to be fired despite the social engineering in this situation mostly due to the sheer amount of money lost from the scam itself. It's not something any company would take lightly.
1) My experience with "more fun with functions" went better than my experience with the first workbook. I had an idea of what was being asked of me and did not get the feeling of being overwhelmed like in the first workbook. I completed this workbook before "fun with functions".
ReplyDelete2a) On some level, I feel bad anytime anyone gets fired, especially when the reason for being fired was caused by the actions of others. Being that they were high ranking managers, they should have been more aware of what was going on and some sort of accountability is required. Them being fired is OK, if they did not ask them to help make up the difference in money lost.
2b) If they operate and follow strict SOP's, there could have been a potential to avoid this situation. If it was avoidable and lack of training caused this, it is fair.
2c) I would probably expect to be fired, especially if i didn't do all the things that were required of me in that situation. In my line of work, bodily harm to myself or others is always a possibility. Balancing the safety of myself and others vs. the demands of higher ups falls on me and I am low on the totem pole.
1) My experience with the second assignment was a tad bit more difficult. This is only due to the fact that there was one portion where nothing was working .It even stumped Professor Wu for about 10 minutes. However in the end it worked out and was a lot of fun.
ReplyDelete2a) Since that they were towards the top of the company, they should have been more responsible and less dismissive of what's going on. Like many others are saying, I feel that it is okay if they were fired; only if there was proof that they dismissed the matter or didn't really care for it.
2b)I view that it was fair if it was there fault. Meaning that if they did not try anything to combat it. Or if they did not try to get more people to help then it is fair that they were fired.
2c) I would expect to be fired. This is because it seems like in this situation they did not do everything in there power to prevent it, and to do there job.
1) I don't believe they should have been fired, based on article doesn't seem like the company takes any responsibility for not educating their employees on these email scams, in the Marines I had to take a course once a year on cyber awareness because they knew about these scams and other dangers. I understand these people were at the top of the chain but the company as a whole does not seem to care about providing education on this topic.
ReplyDelete2) I do think it was fair they got fired since I know if it had been someone lower in the chain they would have been fired on the spot.
3) I would expect to be fired. Big companies don't mess around about money.