Welcome to the futuristic present

It is clear to me that communication is a vast topic to study upon as it branches out to many other subjects as a deeper study is carried. The studies of these concepts are often changing and ambiguous which makes it difficult to master. Learning that our world is ever-changing globally mainly due to the improvement of technology, we have to learn to adapt and constantly updated.

Being a communication profession connects people by learning the history of communication. In past present and future, a communication expert is the catalyst and manages things smoothly but nobody sees it but his/her role is crucial. Hence, language is the fundamental tool and it is important to have fluency. It is essential to have these abilities in building networks and connectivity. In many sectors building links is the best method in securing a job or information.

In today’s world, globalization has shaped it in many ways and it can be seen from education and how the government and people see education as an importance but too many people have degrees and the basic skills. Knowledge and information is easier obtained than a 100 years ago. People are seeking for something different in others for recruitment.

Globalization influences organizational communication as well with the help of speeding up time and space compression (Monge, 1998). We are no longer disconnected. Globalization enables us to be more aware and open with the different cultures, beliefs and behaviors. We are more global conscious as we develop ‘ intracultural personhood’.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Many words have been created from Brands as we reach an era of shifting identity such as “Googling for words”, “Coke for Coca-Cola”, McDee’s or Maccas. Even brands claim colors to form its identity such as the battle of Cadbury chocolate and Nestle claiming over the color purple. We may discover many things in the road of learning but after graduating, we have to take our skills and abilities to the outside world and show them something different to extend our borders but the process of learning never ends.

Reference

Miller, K 2012, Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes, Lyn Uhl, Canada

Nieburg, O 2012, ‘Cadbury claims purple reign in Nestle color mark dispute,’ Confectionary News 2 Oct, viewed 4^th November 2012, <http://www.confectionerynews.com/Regulation-Safety/Cadbury-claims-purple-reign-in-Nestle-color-mark-dispute>

Technology Friendly

Looking back on the history of electronic communication, technology today has improved at a rapid pace from just 200 years ago with the first invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse (Bellis, n.d.). The many mediums of media today originated from a single telegraph which then branched out to many forms such as the telephone, the internet, the radio, television and so forth. This makes many aspects easier in terms of advertising, promoting, sharing and informing information and it also cuts the costs of paper.

New communication technology may provide a huge benefit to society with the reduction in cost, speed of communication and the expanded connectivity. However, many still find it hard to adapt to the quick changes and has not fully come to accept it (Miller, 2012). Although these new forms of technology are detested, many still use it in a form of their identity such as an online self blog instead of a personal diary. Technology does not replace the existing social information processes but it has displayed how it is instilling with the evolution of culture. These different forms of communication media is divided to:

1.       Rich model: Whereby informing is straight forward to prevent misunderstanding of misinterpretations

2.       Social Information Processing Model: Other peers may influence and affect one’s media usage with opinions, past experience, differences and etc

3.       Dual Capacity Model: Carrying both media richness and symbol carrying capacity to use the most appropriate method of communication.

Plantronics office is a perfect example with the implementation of three new communication devices to enable impromptu meetings immediately with its Bluetooth speakerphone, Bluetooth USB headphones and the award-winning Voyager Legend UC Headset. Communication within the office is now on the go and employees can even work with flexibility.

Reference:

Bellis, M n.d., ‘The History of the Electric Telegraph and Telegraphy,’ About.com, viewed 28^th October 2012, <http://inventors.about.com/od/tstartinventions/a/telegraph.htm>

Johannesburg, 2012, ‘Around the office or out in the field, Plantronics delivers three new communication tools,’ ITWeb, viewed 28^th October 2012, <http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?

option=com_content&view=article&id=59588:around-the-office-or-out-in-the-field,-plantronics-delivers-three-new-communication-tools>

Miller, K 2012, Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes, Lyn Uhl, Canada

Younique

In the recent lecture, the topic discussed was a few challenges faced in a workplace in terms of being different from a normative group such as having a different sexual orientation, being a woman in a man dominated organization, having a different race, diversity or age from the preferred group.

Many workplaces perceives an ideal employee has to be familiar to its norm of culture and from being accustom to the perception, organizations seek employees qualified to its natural stereotype such as men leading large businesses or heterosexuals being in the army.

Forbes September 2012 Issue On Women's
Change of Power in The World

However, society has change in various ways of acceptance towards their historical mindset. Women today are no longer just nurturing their children at home but have left home in pursued of their career. Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor scored no. 1 in most powerful women in Forbes magazine (Howard, 2012) followed by Hillary Clinton, the secretary of the U.S. Despite most of the powerful roles are from being part of politics, many other women such as Lady Gaga, Opera Winfrey and Christine Lagarde play a heavy influential role in shaping how society sees women.

Black history month is also implemented to cherish and remember the deeds of the black people in voicing out to the world and their accomplishments despite being powerless and slaves back in the past (Bennett, 2008).

Diversity may sometimes lead to disadvantages with the unfamiliarity of culture and language barrier may often come together with it. However, we are all human and have emotions which are the primary component that even over powers a high pay check to an employees' motivation, loyalty and heart.

Reference:

Howard, C 2012, ‘The 100 Women Who Run The World,’ Forbes 22 August, viewed 21^st October 2012, < http://www.forbes.com/power-women/list/>

Bennett, G 2008, ‘The timeline of a timeline,’ The Guardian 11 October , viewed 21^st October 2012, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/11/blackhistorymonth-race1>

Forbes Video 2012, World's Most Powerful Women Define Power, viewed 21st October 2012, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8EJXUZmW74>

Bibliography

Black History Month 2012, viewed 21^st October 2012, <http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/>

Changing for a Better Good

Organizations seek changes within its standing regulations to strive for the betterment of its people or company. At times, changes are planned to avoid (un)expected circumstances. However, to implement change is never an easy task especially if it is to be practiced in a large organization. This is due to the many reactions to the organizational change from its members. A change within an organization to happen or how it is to work can be altered from the voice of its employees (Kuhn & Corman, 2003).

The mode of communicating the changes depends on the level of professionalism and to the number of people it is addressed to which can be conducted with meetings, emails and so forth. It is crucial to present changes the right way as it affects productivity and changes are always an employees’ concern (Lewis & Seibold, 1993, 1996, Lewis, 1997).

Source: Macarthur Coal

Good Leadership is essential for effective organizational changes and there are numerous ways in leading. The contingency theory leader focuses on task than relationship (Fiedler & Garcia, 1987), transformational leadership model creates a relationship between leader and followers (Bass, 1985) and as for the transactional leader, there are exchanges met to obtain a win-win scenario.

From the recent increase in royalty, Queensland coal companies are sacking its employees for its profit, contingency is present as the employees isn’t of much concern than the profits from its stakeholders.

Reference

Miller, K 2012, Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes, Lyn Uhl, Canada

N.n, 2012, ‘Coal companies to cut jobs due to royalty increase,’ ABC News 14 October, viewed 14^th October 2012, <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-14/coal-companies-to-cut-jobs-due-to-qld-royalty-increase/4312232>

Week 9 – Conflict, deal with it

As we progress though in communication, we are bound to conflicts with other individuals with a different stance over decisions and opinions whether it may be in on an interpersonal, intergroup or inter-organizational level. Conflict arises and it is deemed to the vast differences in:

1.       Culture

2.       Communication

3.       Background

4.       Experience

5.       Incompatible goals

Conflicts are inevitable and do not just go away without proper management over the issue. It is vital to maintain good work relations with colleagues and business partners and as the same time, meeting everyone’s personal goal. Though with conflict, it also enhances better ideas, recognition of flaws, and aid in better understanding (Must, 2012).

Ross (1989) pointed out that the level of conflict is dependent to the concern level and it is not an easy task to achieve a win-win situation. Hence, various third parties come into the picture to present formality in the conflict debate.

In James Manktelow (Mindtools CEO) and Amy Carlson’s conflict talk channel (2011), by resolving conflict, this would improve good relationships and understanding with your team. It is always important to focus on the problem at hand by listening to it and then to voice out before brushing off an idea. Negotiation and discussion is always the best idea in resolving a conflict as it also a more rational method. Hence, regression and aggression is never a way in solving the problem and personal bad relationships with the team/individual should not be taken to account but instead, take account to the problem.

                                             Conflict: How to solve it the right way

Reference:

Must, K 2012, ‘Five Tips to Avoid Unhealthy Conflict and Improve Work Relationships,’ Mosaic, viewed 7^th October 2012, <http://www.mosaiconline.ca/five-tips-to-avoid-unhealthy-conflict-and-improve-work-relationships/?gclid=CP66ka6d7rICFQdepQod4xgAhA>

MindToolsVids 2011, Conflict Resolution, viewed 7^th October 2012, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5XhMktuuu8&feature=player_embedded>

Week 8 – Decisions, Decisions, So Many Decisions, Right or Wrong?

Options are always available but which is the best to choose from? In decision-making, there are no ‘best’ decisions but instead, decisions are made base on the most ‘logical’ options available. Nutt (1984) claims the most common decision-making process is the normative model whereby a problem is noticed, followed by analyzing and observation, and then a decision is made.

There are alternatives models in irrational decision-making and these models are not the best way in describing how decision-making is made. The reason? Only because it doesn’t use the best solution but the solution which is ‘good enough’ to solve an issue which is known as the traditional approach (March & Simon, 1958). However, Simon (1987) claims the models still requires analogical interpretation of the problem or the use of past experience for present decision-making. Alternative models such as the garbage can model compiles all the problems, solutions, participants together, and then a decision is made via intuition accessible relevant info. Not really the best way in decision-making indeed but it will do if there is insufficient time. 

Source:  http://soulandbluesreport.com

In relation to Wal-Mart, a company which once provided full health benefits to even their new part-time employees now cuts down to a minimal health provider. Wal-Mart’s mistake in approving its health care benefits wasn’t decided carefully with proper formulation and conceptual development by studying the future outcome of both the company and its employees.

Wal-Mart’s health cover is too costly as they were unable to keep up with the employee’s family covers as well. The approval in providing health benefits was due to the total of 1.4 million workers who were unqualified for health care applicant. Hence Wal-Mart thought of its resolutions and they were successful in solving the present problem but without further analysis of its future caused a fallback. This shows how certain factors in decision-making have to be taken to account to instead of taking the traditional                                                                       approach.

Reference:

Greenhouse, S & Abelson, R, ‘Wal-Mart Cuts Some Health Benefits’, The New York Times 20 October, viewed 20^th October 2012, <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/business/wal-mart-cuts-some-health-care-benefits.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&fb_source=message>

Kim, S, ‘Walmart Cuts Employee Health Care Benefits’, ABC News 21 October, viewed 23^rd October 2012, <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/10/walmart-cuts-employee-health-care-benefits/>

Week 7 – Knowing What To Be, Who To Be

People in all forms of different working background, workplace and so forth; have to go through the processes of adaptation in a particular field of a working environment. It is inevitable for an individual to venture into work with the procedures of the organizational socialization processes which starts from adapting to learning and then to taking on new roles before becoming an organizational insider.

Source: ProProfs.com

In order for the individual to succeed effectively, it is crucial to have intimate connections with other employees as it is important to be recognized by others. By knowing one’s role and by involving in the organization to its fullest, this will develop job competency for better performance and familiarization. Many work environments prefers to hire younger people as they are more energetic which brings the company to life. Younger also means that the company will benefit from more productivity and efficiency in terms of creativity and especially since generation-Y are more technological friendly.

Taking from a famous celebrity, Katy Perry, for an example, she is bright, energetic, brings the set to live, responsible, punctual and not only does she carry these characteristics worry-free, but she knows her role in her music creation. The ability to be able to mingle with various people and by learning how her responsibilities and role should be carried out is the reason to her success in her career as shown in the making of her music video ‘WideAwake’.

                        Sonny Lowe speaks of Katy's work performance at 12:50

Reference:

KatyPerryVEVO 2012, Wide Awake, viewed 18^th June 2012, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0BWlvnBmIE>

KatyPerryVEVO 2012, The Making of Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake”, viewed 30^th August 2012, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGs6MgYOVxg&feature=g-user-u>

Week 6 – Women, walking in their ‘heels’

Source: The CIA

In the screening of ‘The September Issue’, it displays how different genre of scenarios could actually affect as it plays a vital role in our daily lives. Such as fashion, it is the cause for what we are wearing today and fashion itself cause people to feel nervous of others with its demeaning looks from various ways of dressing oneself. In the documentary film, Anna Wintour shows how people with power can set a trend and they are very influential not forgetting, intimidating despite being a woman.

In today’s working environment, apart from fresh employees, women are the primary victims of people in power as they are perceived as a weaker species. Charmaine Pickett, receptionist at 18^th floor Adelaide’s city centre, claims she was sexually harassed and victimized by her colleagues in 2011 (Guilliatt 2011). Another case of Alex Meikle, a victim of suicidal, was caused due to the overwhelming pranks which include setting her on fire in 2008. Even women working in professional workplaces were victims of sexism. The New South Wales Ambulance Service comprised an organizational bullying system which led to Christine Hodder’s suicide in 2005 (Jones 2011).

There is no escape to the endless cases. The study of women in the feminist theories of organizational communication enable a better work environment for women and to view at a different angle on how women handles issues in various sectors. This study reviews on the difference in logic and personality in problem solving of the both genders which create a radical/separatist mode of women being their own organization.

Reference:

Guilliatt, R 2011, ‘Workers at war,’ The Australian 26 November, viewed 3^rd September 2012, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/workers-at-war/story-e6frg8h6-1226202193068>

Jones, K 2011, ‘Workplace Bullying is a significant challenge even if the reality is smaller than expected,’ Safety At Work Blog 28 November, viewed 3^rd September 2012, <http://safetyatworkblog.com/2011/11/28/workplace-bullying-is-a-significant-challenge-even-if-the-reality-is-smaller-than-perceived/>

NZSLsigner 2007, Youtube, viewed 3^rd September 2012, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzf6JlmLX5w>

Week 5 – Language as an Economy Profit

How can one describe culture may vary from another. Culture is indeed growing and developing in many ways. This is all due to communication. What I can say about culture is that it makes society the way society is today in terms of communicating and behavioral ethics. The moral values and personality we carry within ourselves is different from another and it is often ambiguous as it changes overtime.

Peter and Waterman’s “Excellent Cultures” concepts revealed that a company itself is often changing and it is seen from the culture the company carries which can be the pavement to a company’s successful.
This can be seen as a relation to the importance of the Mandarin language to Australia’s present and future growth in economy. Australia’s businesses have been experiencing a massive crisis due to the shortage of Mandarin-speaking employees as covered in ABC News, Australian Business Suffer from Mandarin Shortfall. China as Australia’s number 1 chain supplier is predicted to overtake America’s economy in a decade. This makes up for the many reasons why Australians today should master Mandarin for better business relationship with Chinese organizations.

Many luxurious retail companies today seek employees with Mandarin or Cantonese speaking abilities. John Calleija, owner of the Calleija jewelers in Queensland managed to sell a diamond ring worth several hundred thousand dollars with the help from his employee, being able to communicate with the buyer from Hong Kong.

Culture is the action from socializing as asserted from Schein’s model of organizational culture. With the act of socializing from the means of culture, business can be enhanced and triumph in success through the development of culture for the visions of a company.

Reference:

Australian businesses suffer from Mandarin shortfall 2012, News program, ABC News, Queensland, 23 August.

Week 4 – Knowing Our Origins

Almost every organization in today’s modern era believes that an employee is to be treated with respect and rights. No management will practice forceful labour aside from using it on animals. It’s inhuman to treat a species of one’s self with inequality. And what’s the cause of the issue? Culture.

I find it disturbing to find how most employees are treated horribly especially in undeveloped and developing countries. The difference in culture is the root reason to the cause of how an employee is treated. It is the background of how society was raised and progressed through generations to carry on various espoused values and thus, these values are then brought into business, such as providing rewards, pay cut and bonuses.

Source:  http://valetourism.net

Even in developed countries such as Los Angeles, the fantasy town of Disneyland may not seem as happiest place as it seems to be. Workers who supply Disney goods in Bangladesh were working at 14 to 15 hours a day and a full seven day work week. The hourly pay for these workers is 8 to 19 cents and there is no payment given for overtime workers as supposed by law.

In the lectures, Nokia did an exemplary job in inspecting the company before signing a contract with them. It is good to know your customers but better to know your suppliers. Culture has developed business improve the environment at a workplace. With the celebrations and events at work, it creates a comfort and a network amongst employees. Heroes such as Steve Jobs himself increase the morality of workers and boost Apple’s brand name. Hence, Deal and Kennedy’s Strong Culture theory is adapted in many successful and professional sectors at a workplace which proves most effective. 

Reference:

Vieth, W 2002, “Disney Is Targeted in Abuse Campaign”, Los Angeles Times 24 September, viewed 21^st August 2012, < http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/24/business/fi-disney24> 

Week 3 – How IT works, affects, effects and influences

Source: http://www.ecured.cu

Many aspects and elements are in the context of an organization which enables a smooth organization from running despite the complicatedness. Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s systems theory functions as a separation of many components that works as one in an organization. It is very creative of Katherine Miller to use the body as an example to suit the system. The description on how certain parts of the body functions interdependent on each other and how our body is affected and influenced by our surroundings very true and a perfect way to describe it.

It can also be seen in today’s mass media on how it changes our perspective with the way the content is being projected to viewers. The sub system such as radio, television, the internet, and so forth works together as a hierarchy ordering which forms a whole system, the mass media. The information gathered from Permeability is then informed to the society as news and just like any other media organizations; it has interdependence with its news crew, reporters and interviewers to obtain news in order to facilitate as a media company. The systems theory actually works in many other scenarios aside from the human body.

Source:  http://smallbusiness.chron.com

Aside from good organization in seeking development, feedback is essential. Cybernetic systems theory enables a happy employee and consumer as it also improves the company. Atop of that, communication in organizations as according to “New Science” Systems Theory, serves an important role of an individual in developing relationships, participation, appreciation and adaptation to the environment. An ideal employee is vital in company development.

To aid a better understanding of yourself, take the entropy test! http://hypnoid.com/em_entropy/

Bibliography

Sylwester, R 2001, “How Mass Media Affect Our Perception of Reality”, Brainconnection, viewed 13^th August 2012, < http://brainconnection.positscience.com/content/172_1>

Week 2 – Dissatisfied employees, maybe that's the key to Success.

There are many factors that affect an organization in a workplace. We know from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire incident, people learnt to prioritize every employee’s safety and needs before putting profit as its number 1 objective in business. An organization is seen to working people today as not as a machanical structure but more of a social collectivity unit.

                                                       Source: Easysmallbusineeshr.com

Hawthorn’s theory states that people’s feelings in a work place is more of a concern to manage good work performance than just having a high salary.

What I can say about Hawthorn’s theory is that it is highly practiced in our modern world today especially in developed countries. An employee’s needs and feelings are taken to account instead of the olden days whereby profits are what matters most but the irony to that is most companies are more profitable when they have dissatisfied employees (Sher, 2012).

                                                       Source: markgormanwordpress.com

Steve Jobs, Apple’s hot tempered manager, made life at work difficult and a frightful one for everyone. He has helped Apple to the path of success whilst as well insulting his co-workers and reducing them to tears (Moisescot, 2006).

“He’s not warm and funny … He was not the world’s greatest manager. In fact, he could have been one of the world’s worst managers.” – A line from one of his workers. (Pop_Boy99, 2012)

It can be seen that people will have to practice Likert’s first and second system in Apple’s exploitive and benevolent authoritative system (a system that practices limited communication and motivation by fear) to deal with an unsociable frightful boss like Steve Jobs. I would say this results in McGregor's theory X based workplace.

Reference

Moisescot, R 2006, ‘Steve at work’, allaboutSteve.com, viewed 6^th August 2012, < http://allaboutstevejobs.com/persona/steveatwork.php>

Sher, R 2012, ‘Why You Need Dissatisfied Employees’, Forbes, viewed 6^th August 2012, < http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertsher/2012/08/03/why-you-need-dissatisfied-employees/>

Pop_Boy99, 2012, ‘Steve Job as a boss: An employees worst nightmare’, freefeastinfo.com, viewed 6^th August 2012, < http://freefeast.info/general-it-articles/steve-jobs-as-a-boss-an-employees-worst-nightmare/>