Teamwork

Solar energy: A group presentation
Introduction
Our instructor gave us a group presentation to access our teamwork skills and how we interact under constraints and time pressure. The topic assigned to us was solar energy, its acquittal, usage, benefits and most effective ways to promote its usage as it is readily available. We distributed each sub topic among the group with a deadline one week earlier to the actual deadline to be ready on time. All the team members met for a discussion before starting the work so that we had the same understanding of the topic and our work would be in alignment and flow to gain maximum marking on the assignment.
Reflection
This assignment gave raise to certain disagreements among the group about how to present the collected data but we learned how the difference of opinion to our benefit. It meant all the group members were actively taking part in the assignment with their ideas and the argument enabled us to polish the ideas and present them in the best possible way. This topic proved to be particularly difficult for me as I could not totally understand how to store solar energy once the sun sets down. My group members were helpful and supportive in this regard and explained the concepts to me which I found difficult to grasp. This made me want to work in a group again in the future as we can all perform so much better when paired into groups with varying skills. I would suggest to other students to take this topic and attempt it technically and give recommendations on how to use and store this great and readily available energy.

Teamwork and Conflicts
Introduction
We need to understand and realize that everyone is different from us and this would give rise to conflict of opinion while working in a team. This realizations makes it very easier to deal with the conflict without it negatively effecting the performance of the team. We were given a short survey to identify the potential conflicts that might rise in a group while working together. The survey results were to be presented in a quantitative way in the university and it identified some of the major reasons for team conflicts. The course instructor liked our approach and presentation skills and gave us good grade.
Reflection
The quantitative results helped us get insight into various reasons of the cause of conflict among a group. This assignment helped me individually as I was previously reluctant to work in a team but now I can identify and tackle the issue that it might give rise to, hence I am better able to deal within a team. If given a chance I would like to do more research on the ways to avoid conflict and neutralize the work environment within a team. I would opt for a qualitative approach and conduct interviews to really know what causes people to disagree with each other and deduce insightful results with recommendations to avoid the conflict. My suggestion to other students would be to have a solution based approach towards this topic rather than identifying the reasons.

Financial Analysis
Introduction
This assignment was a group task where we were asked to make a group of four members to do this task on financial position of huge firms of Saudi Arabia. The companies which we decided to talk about were SABIC and Aramco. It was a difficult task for us as these companies are very large and required a lot of thorough study. It was given in a team because teamwork divides the work load and produces good results in the end.
Reflection:
This assignment helped me learning the collaboration between group members. It developed patience in my personality. I learned the importance of active listening and active participation in group tasks. I also learned that with proper communication one can solve the conflicts among group members easily. I also learned the importance of time management by working as a team. If I will get a chance to do this task again, I will try to be calmer as I believe I lost my control many times during this task which created conflicts. I advise the same to other to stay calm and patient while doing group tasks.

Islamic banking in Saudi Arabia:
Introduction
In this assignment, we were asked to conduct a research in a group of three members. The topic chosen by us for our research was Islamic banking sector. We visited famous Islamic banks of Saudi Arabia such as Alinma bank, samba and Alrajhi bank for this purpose and evaluated the pros and cons of Islamic banking sector. We also tried to analyze and compare its current and future position in the banking sector of the world. This assignment was given so that students can learn how to do lengthy tasks easily in a group where they will get a chance to learn the importance of teamwork as well.
Reflection:
In this assignment, I learnt that nothing is difficult if it is done in a team where every member is actively participating and giving its best. I learned that because of team work relationships are also strengthened among the group members. They learn to deal with every member with patience and with full respect. Researches are very lengthy which becomes quite easier if done in a group. If I repeat this assignment, I would like to arrange a meeting with the staff of Alrajhi and Alinma bank which will help me to give a better view of Islamic banking from their experiences. I advise future students to do the same and try to meet with the staff of Islamic bank to make their assignment more convincing.