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>