Rationale of Blogs

            Chancing communications in a professional context would be risky:  each element of a written platform will communicate something to its reader.  A blog is no exception.  Whether it is color, content or captions, every aspect of a quality blog would be intentionally selected.  Readers gather overall impressions from the look and tone of a piece.  Viewers notice small details.  Conclusions about the blog are drawn from all aspects.  Purpose, design, content, and being conscious of the audience are all relevant to the creation of an excellent blog.

            A purpose statement is a first essential element to determine.  Colloquial wisdom such as “wherever you go, there you are” suggests that a person will communicate something, whether intentional or not; therefore, to be successful it is critical to first decide what the purpose is of the communication.  Is the purpose to persuade, to sell, or to educate?  Is it to inspire, to build confidence or to express one’s opinion regardless of how it is received?  As a person considers the finer points of these possible purpose areas, there are distinctions.  A blogger may have multiple purposes in mind.  It would be important to identify a primary purpose, or goal, so as to be able to select when choices emerge that would lead a person down differing paths.  This way, the primary objective is always served as the blog is designed and implemented. 

            Design follows purpose.  “Begin with the end in mind,” runs a second element of common sense.  Consider what elements of design would best convey the purpose.  For example, if the goal is to provide academic content to inform a reader, then the design could lead to the reader being able to search, access and digest large amounts of text or numbers of website links.  With the purpose being to impart knowledge, it would be essential that the design support the ability of the reader to access the content.  This would take primary importance in the design, and be more important than the variety of graphics or beauty of the color scheme.  However, a strong design will remain true to its purpose while also managing multiple design details well.  From the selection of color, to graphics that highlight key content or draw in a reader, to the font selection, details around the design are plentiful and should be considered.  In responding to a reader’s need for academic content, for example, a simple, predictable, easy to view design could be selected.  This way the design itself does not distract from the content, but supplements it by helping the reader find information.

            Choosing content carefully in a blog will help ensure its success.  A reader will return to a blog that reliably delivers the information or experience desired.  By focusing content in this manner trust will be built by readers.  Content will need to be focused, intentional with its communications, and interesting.  Content would ideally bring a fresh twist or new perspective to provide something unique.  Content can be provided in a variety of formats, which would help readers who learn in different styles.  For example content could be provided in an interactive framework, to help tactile readers:  questions could be posed to readers in the form of survey questions, and then readers could click on the answer to the question to learn the content piece intended.

            Audiences vary as widely as there are different types of people:  research about and loyalty to an audience will help a blog be successful.  Given the intended purpose of the blog, an author would learn as much as possible about the audience.  How does the audience like to receive information?  What is the audience’s purpose for viewing the blog?  What are the demographics of the audience and what would that tell the author about preferences?  It is important to find concrete ways to draw the reader into the blog and to return to the blog.  Including an email notification, so that a reader receives an email each time a blog is updated, is one method for helping drive returning readers back to a blog.  Remaining true to the purpose with consistent content is also essential; if the content and purpose are aligned with the audience, and then the blog is launched and remains consistent to the plan, it has a good chance of being successful.

            Like other communication forms, blogs provide a mechanism for a variety of communication goals.  Whether it is to personally express emotion or opinion, to sell a product or to build a grass roots political movement, blogs can be efficient and effective tools.  By carefully considering purpose, design, content and audience in a comprehensive communications or public relations strategy, the author can find success.           

References

Martin, M. (2010, June 26). 7 Elements to Make Your Blog Look Great. Pro Blog Design. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://www.problogdesign.com/design/7-elements-to-make-your-blog-look-great/

Wakeman, D. (2010, February 4). 7 Essential Design Elements for Great Business Blogs. Social Media Examiner. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/7-essential-design-elements-for-great-business-blogs/

Perspectives on Communication

I believe the psychological perspective is extremely relevant in the way people communicate with one another.  I feel that when people are communicating with one another they perceive information differently based on their beliefs and experiences.  These beliefs and experiences will affect the way someone thinks about or responds to the information they have taken in.  For instance if someone has been raised in a church environment and they are engaged in a conversation about faith, then they will have very specific ideas and responses in communication with another.

The social constructionist perspective is an interesting way of looking at the communication process.  In a very real sense most of us do learn about our world through communication.  We do not necessarily experience the world on a first hand basis.  Our ideas and thoughts can be shaped by interactions from those around us and our peer groups.  Communication in our direct environments gives us or reality of the world we live in.  Most Americans have the general idea that we should expect to lead a happy and fulfilling life; therefore, Americans should be happy with the line of work they choose and the family life should be fulfilling.  These types of ideas would be difficult to convey too many people of different countries; thus, they perceive you work to provide immediate needs such as food and your family members create more work and food opportunities.  These ideas contribute to the happiness of Americans, since the message is one of self fulfillment and family happiness.

I can see how the pragmatic perspective exists and is followed by many.  In a very interesting sense we all engage in communication with others; thus, our responses have to be thought out, similar to that of you next move in a game.  If someone takes a conversation in a certain direction, the person on the other end of the conversation has to decide if they want to manipulate the flow of the interaction in another direction, or to let it continue to flow in the same direction.  It of course is different from a game in that most of us are not trying to manipulate our everyday interaction with others and our environments do play a role in communication.  Communications do involve our surroundings and groups and is not just between two people as a game would suggest.

A researcher who takes the cultural studies perspective would study the effect of mass appeal or popular culture.  For instance, popular television shows have given many underlying political messages that people may take their own viewpoints from.  For instance a researcher may see a popular show such as “All in the family” and dissect and expose the racism and sexism that is being fed to the general populous.  The cultural studies perspective researcher will uncover and decipher popular messages that may help other to ask questions and have alternative responses to the originators intended response.

I would have to say that the psychological perspective would probably be the closest to how I view my communication process.  I take in the information, formulate my response and do get distracted by noise and outside sources.  I am sure that I could probably identify with a few of the others on some level; however, the psychological approach seems to fit my process.

Reference

Trenholm, S. (2008). Thinking through communication: An introduction to the study of human communication (5^th ed.). New York: Pearson

Technical Communication & Writing

Technical communication and technical writing seem to be one of the same for many; however, technical writing and technical communication differ from one another in many aspects.  Technical communication can simply be communication between office staff and employees in a company.  This can be any type of company where written communication happens between employees.  Technical writing differs in that it is more specific about who the audience may be intended for.  For instance, technical writing will occur between doctors when communicating about a mutual patient as shown in our text Technical Communication, in figure 3.3 (Lannon, 2008, p. 29). 

Technical communication is useful information that is conveyed to a diverse audience for many different purposes.  These purposes range from work documents, such as written communications to product manuals for the general populous.  Technical writing is a component of technical communication.  Technical writing is the writing done for the purpose of creating easy to access information for the purpose of operating or using many differing types of products, or even for the understanding of  research between peers.  Technical writing is also used to create inter-office documents that peer and other co-workers understand without having to use laymen terms. 

Technical communication and technical writing are used together as well as separately.  They seem to work together, yet they clearly work on their own as well.  Technical communication happens at many levels with communication within offices, hospitals and other organizations through daily work routines.  Technical writing happens at different degrees with varying complexity depending upon the audience.  Both communication tools are essential and commonplace in the workplace and other genres. 

Reference

Lannon, J. M. (2008). Technical Communication (11^th ed.). New York: Pearson.

Blogging and Communication

What Makes a Good Blog

                 Like many media forms, a good blog will incorporate all important elements of a written communication piece.  While a blog is an emerging technology, the “tried and true” old-fashioned advice applies:  for example, in blogs and in communication historically, it is important to make a good first impression.  It is essential to know the audience.  Authors should provide a visually appealing presentation.  The author needs a mechanism to keep the reader returning.  The content needs to be interesting, easy to access, and relevant to the reader.  All of these elements of sound communication practice apply in the realm of social media formats including blogs.

            A good first impression, in a blog, begins with a graphic header.  A graphic header is commonly a horizontal box across the top of the page.  An effective graphic header will include the name of the blog, the author, a tagline, and clues as to the tone or style of the blog.  For example, Mari Smith provides a blog about Facebook which includes a sparkly, turquoise color element which provides a sense of the author’s personality (Wakeman, 2010).  The tagline provides a first opportunity to answer the central question as to why the reader should select this blog.  A tagline could be a provocative question, such as “Why Facebook?” or offer other information about the blog’s content.  Some blogs, such as http://stevenhurffsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/introduction.html. provides the author’s name as its title.  This is also an option.

            Several blogs reviewed provide visually appealing design elements to provide a good first impression.  One student blog provided an example of matching design to intended audience; this person, Traci Fields, appeared to have had two distinct purposes or themes emerging in the design choice http://www.bdd-divaclub.blogspot.com/.  This runs the risk of creating a confused first impression:  at the beginning it can be unclear as to the purpose of the site.  In addition, the reader may find an inconsistency on the site when having two types of information.  Consistency of information, which builds a trust through reliably delivering the content expected by the reader, is an important element of a successful blog.  An example of a consistently presented blog which makes a good impression can be found in Robyn Owen’s blog, at http://chalktalkinterchange.blogspot.com/.  This blog catches the eye as soon as the page opens.  There is a very impressive layout and color choice.  The blog makes a strong first impression.

            A strong blog needs to be able to know its audience and provide relevant content in an easily digestible format.  Elements that help a reader access information quickly include an “About Me” section, so that the reader can learn about the author easily.  Having a fair amount of white space enables the reader to find desired content, see headings and subheadings, and skim quickly to find desired information.  An example of a blog that does this well is Rosemary Austin’s, at http://speakitliveitloveit.blogspot.com/.  This is a blog that draws a person in with the first post, as the author articulates positive aspirations to be a writer.  It is uplifting. 

            To generate repeat business, by encouraging readers to return to the blog, is an additional central element.  One important way to do this is by having an email subscription form.  This option provides an email update to readers, which is a common way to remind a reader to return to the blog.  A second way is by having a variety of interactive options which readers enjoy and therefore make the blog stand out.  One blog that achieves this is Lydia Adeleke’s, at http://neeceesnuggets123.blogspot.com.  This blog provides an impressive amount of content with a variety of interesting options.  The reader has the opportunity to participate by rating posts, taking a poll, and watching video, all of which are interesting features.

            Reviewing these elements of key blogs provides me with the realization that I have some key design flaws.  I intend to return to my blog to add some additional elements.  I plan to add video.  I will add my name, near my title, in more of a prominent way.  I see that I could add more content to provide more reason for my reader to come back.  I could also benefit from adding an email subscription form option to generate repeat readership.  All of these ideas would improve my blog both in content, visual appeal, and in readership generation.

            Blogs are a newly emerging strategy that builds upon sound communication methodology.  Through a visually appealing experience, a consistent delivery of information a readership desires and through quality communication a blog author would be able to communicate well with readers around the world.

            

References

Adeleke, L. (2011). Neecees Nuggets 123. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://neeceesnuggets123.blogspot.com/

Austin, R. (2011). Speak it, Live it, Love it. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://speakitliveitloveit.blogspot.com/

Fields, T. (2011). BeDazzle-Do-DIVA Club. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://www.bdd-divaclub.blogspot.com/

Hurff, S. (2011). Creative Communicator. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://stevenhurffsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/introduction.html

Martin, M. (2010, June 26). 7 Elements to Make Your Blog Look Great. Pro Blog Design. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://www.problogdesign.com/design/7-elements-to-make-your-blog-look-great/

Owen, R. (2011). Chalk Talk Interchange. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://chalktalkinterchange.blogspot.com/

Wakeman, D. (2010, February 4). 7 Essential Design Elements for Great Business Blogs. Social Media Examiner. Retrieved February 13, 2011, from http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/7-essential-design-elements-for-great-business-blogs/

      

Delivering Bad News Tactfully and Effectively

Conflict is inevitable in any organization because there are always people with differing opinions and personalities; therefore, approaching conflict constructively and creating a positive or a win-win is a must to overall moral and organizational communication.  “Conflict can be described as a process that occurs when individuals, small groups, or organizations perceived or experience frustration in attaining goals and addressing concerns” (Shockley-Zalabak, 2009, p. 295).

In my interaction with an employee who was not meeting organizational goals, I would be specific about details and examples where the employees’ work was substandard.  I would anticipate the employee to resist and deny any substandard work.  I would also expect the employee to argue any wrong-doing with employer/customer communication.  I would cite that several customers and employees have spoken to me regarding the employee’s confrontational attitude and give some specific instances.  I would also state that other employees have a higher workload as a direct result of the substandard work effort.  Since the issue was with one person and not the entire staff, I would use an assertive communication model; this is a direct and frontal approach to pursue with the individual (Cahn & Abigail, 2007, p. 66).  I would state the company policy and state the specific problems.  The employee in question would hear in detail what the problems were and how these problems affected the organization.  This approach allows me as the manager to cite concrete examples and give an ultimatum for improved performance. 

I would consider any opportunity to enhance the ability of the employee to listen and effectively receive the information.  “It is human nature to jump to conclusions – to accept blindly what we want to hear and to reject without thinking what we don’t want to hear.  And the more ego involved we are with an issue – that is, the more we have a personal stake in the outcome – the more likely we are to lose our objectivity by not listening or by distorting the message.” (Trenholm, 2008, p. 59).  Visuals, such as examples of clients’ files who have expressed concern, may help as people respond to visual imagery (Trenholm 65).  Providing specific reasons to listen helps; in the situation of an employer communication this may be self-evident, but if the employee senses it is not a priority for me or the company they may be less likely to listen actively.

It is important to use the problem for the basis of defining opportunities.  The problems represent a unique opportunity to open dialogue without necessarily having to initiate an agenda from out of the blue, so to speak.  It allows an opportunity for the receiver in either case to understand the cause and potential for correction given the circumstances.  It is an opportunity for me, the sender to define the problem and apply a communicative forum for both myself and receiver.  After clearly defining the problems, the ultimatum for improved work performance along with improved customer/employee relations would be cited.  Either the employee improves and thrives within the organizational structure or the employee would be let go.  This clearly defines what is expected of employee performance and organizational communications, both internal and external.

It is important to address this situation directly.  Choosing to overlook, minimize or avoid the issue would likely communicate the wrong message to other employees and cause the behavior to fester or increase.  One employee who communicates poorly can hurt the entire office morale and affect the organizational structure and profit. 

 References

Cahn, D. D., Abigail, A. A. (2007). Managing Conflict Through Communication (3^rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Shockley-Zalabak, P. S. (2009). Fundamentals of Organizational Communication: Knowledge, Sensitivity, Skills, Values (7^th ed.). New York: Pearson.

Trenholm, S. (2008). Thinking Through Communications: An Introduction To The Study Of Human Communication (5^th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Culture and Diversity in Communication

The article titled “The Ten Commandments of Intercultural Communications” provides some key elements towards intercultural communication that can be applied in many situations.  I feel that I can communicate with any group or culture effectively; however, when holding differing values and views on issues, it is inevitable that values will affect communication.  If someone comes from a culture that holds the cow as sacred, and I eat beef, then this will affect when and where communication happens.  What I mean by this statement is that we certainly will not meet at a steakhouse and/or talk about cuisine.  This person would find these places or communications offensive; therefore, it would be appropriate to show respect for their cultural beliefs and understand what is acceptable and what is not.

Given a situation where one may be traveling to another country with differing languages and customs, it would be appropriate to study the customs and traditions in advance.  This is important because different cultures may see our actions or greetings as rude.  It is important to understand how cultures view body language and actions.  For instance, Former President George W. Bush was well advised on how to interact with the Saudi Arabian King.  During a visit to Saudi Arabia, the President walked with the Saudi King while holding his hand.  In the United States this was ridiculed; however, in Saudi Arabia, this was seen as respectful and culturally aware.

In the United States I think many value politeness and/or etiquette; however, this is not universally practiced nor are there etiquette rules to follow.  “Traditional Indonesian society considers the giving of refreshments to guests a very important display of respect and politeness” (Whitfield III, n.d., para. 3).  In America, this is typically practiced as well.  When someone attends a business meeting they may be offered refreshments; however, many times this depends on the length of the meeting and the setting.  Also, in the American setting, it is not considered rude or inappropriate to refuse the offered refreshments.  In Indonesian culture one should take the offered refreshment, even if they do no want it; to refuse refreshments is considered an insult.  In this case it would be important to be aware of the difference in social values placed on such an interaction and or setting. 

It is also important to understand the importance of gestures, body language and/or greetings with differing cultures.  For instance, Japanese consider bowing to be an important part of greeting, with many types of bows that can be hard to interpret in America.  The length, timing and number of bows have meaning.  “When one party wants to emphasize the salutation and holds the pose for an unusually long period of time - while intoning appropriate remarks - the recipient must continue to make short bows, usually of gradually lessening degrees, to properly acknowledge the other person's action” (De Mente, 1999, para. 8).

References

De Mente, B. L. (August, 1999). Politeness Makes Perfect. Retrieved on February 2, 2011, from http://www.apmforum.com/columns/boye29.htm

Hahn. M. (n.d.). The Ten Commandments of Intercultural Communications. Retrieved on February 2, 2011, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Ten-Commandments-of-Intercultural-Communication&id=120247