Democracy and Dialogue

"Participatory democracy requires that people do more than vote‹they must actively engage in cooperative activities that will help the group achieve its goals. Individuals must become knowledgeable about relevant issues, consider others¹ opinions and ideas, and articulate their own views. Participating in democratic processes, such as discussing key societal problems, helps individuals feel a part of the final outcome or decision even if they disagree with it (Polletta, 2002)." I believe that within our society this is the biggest issue regarding the difference in wanting a change and making a change. Far too often people complain about the way the world is, or why this person shouldn't be in charge, or "If I had that job, I would..." there is always a lot of talk about what someone could do, rather than them starting to do it. Most people feel that voting is enough to make a change, and if their vote didn't win, then they did all they could do. Everyone is always too busy to help, but are so quick to talk about the issues concerning them. Even if we are not the people in charge of making decisions, we can still do something toward the progressing our beliefs and wants in the right direction. The issue isn't always that the higher power of decision making doesn't want to listen, the issue is lack of participation in convincing someone that this issue is important enough to listen.

Ch 10 Business Strategies

In chapter 10 the author writes about two basic business strategies. One focuses on lowest-cost which is the commitment of a business offering a service or product at the lowest possible price. This is the type of business strategy used by companies such as Wal-Mart. With the attempt to beat out its competitors such as target, k-marts and even some grocery stores Wal-Mart is usually the leader in producing low prices time after time. The second and most popular business strategy is differentiation. Through this strategy business focus on pinpointing a particular quality or unique service offered by the business. This is a prime example of what I learned in my business marketing class about niche marketing. By focusing on one specific need of the clientele the business is able to try and be the best in that niche. Such as the example in the book with Volvo. If customers first and primary concern with a vehicle is safety then Volvo would be the best place to look because that is what they specialize in. These two strategies are what make or break a business, Wal-Mart has managed to maintain low prices while still staying in business. Where as niche marketing may sometimes be a hit or miss business concept.

Ch 9. Habits of Character

In the book, Jim Collins recognizes what makes the highest qualities of leadership. He titles his theory the habits of character. He also states that the most important habit that promotes character as well as the most essential quality in a leader is modesty. Collins states that no matter how extravagent, miraculous or extreme something is completed, modesty and humility are what makes the action complete. I agree with this theory and even more applaud the six ideas blended by Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe and John Alban-Metcalf. These six ides cover all of the genuine importance of being a strong and successful leader. From valuing individuals concerns, acting with integrity and honesty and being decisive I feel like these hit the nail on the head in the criteria someone should have to lead an organization. These qualities cannot necessarily be taught and absorbed, but rather it takes a special person to have a majority of these in them already. Often times a leader allows money and fame to get to their head without remembering the key of being humble. Sorry to all the Giants fans out there, but allow me to make Barry Bonds my example. Before leaving the Giants Bonds was seen as a leader for his team. However, he lacked all these qualities. He was one of the most conceited and cocky individuals in sports that I have ever seen play. He played for himself, only trying to accomplish a record and not concerned about the wins for the team. He never hustled in the outfield when a ball was hit to him, nor was he humble with fans.

Gendered Narratives in Pop Culture

Frame 4 "shifts attention from communication in organizations to communication about organization, or how larger society portrays and debates institutions and the very notion of work" (Ashcraft and Mumby, 2004, p. 19). This frame talks about the differences in pop culture and speaks upon various television shows. The shift from men strictly in power on tv has changed drastically especially with women like Oprah who is the riches woman right now. Even magaziens which have predominantly suggested only women in underwear and bathing suits have come to focus on women in the workplace and in power. With this years primary election coming so close, and Hilary Clinton almost becoming the Democratic presidential candidate it is a great shift for pop culture to see a woman doing more than modeling or being a homemaker. The technique of personal branding confuses me and surprises me that the idea was developed in such recent times. For a woman to have to work twice as hard as a man yet still remain "womanly" so that way if she doesn't succeed she can be seen as the motherly role? Maybe I am understanding it wrong...

Ch 8 Patterns of Interaction

I was very interested in reading this section of the book regarding the patterns of interaction. I especially was interested in relating it to my own work environment and therefore understanding it better. The correlation between high-density work environment and a low one made perfect sense when given my own example. I work in a restaurant so it is a pretty fair assumption that we are all a fairly dense group because we see each other so frequently. However I could also argue that there is a difference in the day crew and night crew and that is more of where a "clique" would form. Being that the night crew spends a good amount of time around each other in comparison to the time they see the day crew, it is more probable that they would choose to spend more outside time together as well because they "know" each other better. And that is exactly how the night clique at my work is. We tend to spend more time outside of work together because of our high density interaction at work.

VIrtual or Real Communication

I like the example given that research has shown that teens "use IM to begin, maintain and end relationships". I feel that this is a common argument I have heard amongst my mother and father in their attempts to understand why text messaging and instant messaging are so prevelant when it is easier to just pick up the phone. I have heard them say that isn't "real" either. My question was always why not? I am still talking to someone regardless of how I am doing it. The words I text or type are still the same words I would speak. My meanings behind my messages are still me, regardless of my means of sending those messages. Now it may be very impersonal, but despite that it is definitly still real. Or as well as with blogging. Blogging is basically like writing in a diary that people all over the world have access to. It is not uncommon for this line of virtual and real communication to be questioned, but I do think it should be thoroughly evaluated more.

Ch. 7/Frame 1 Gender Differences at work

In regards to this chapter, I was able to relate to some research findings as well as be completely appalled by others. In the differences between mens "report talk" and women's "rapport talk", I understand the differences and even agree with most. Women do tend to share more of a feeling based conversation than a man might. However, just as a man a woman can focus soley on work talk. Of course in free conversation a woman might talk more about personal issues in a safe context, the same way a man might defer from work talk and speak about a sporting event or another aspect in his life. Either way I see both genders being able to focus on work equally when the time calls for it. I was also extremely bothered by the example given regarding the one-time negotiation story. That same story can be reversed to a woman asking for a ahigher offer and a man not. Personally I don't think that has anything to do with how genders communicate. It has more to do with having some courage and taking a shot at something.

metaphors and culture lectures

As in many cultures metaphors are the easiest way of communication. They attempt to give qualities of one feeling or expression to another word. I never thought about metaphors causing any missunderstandigns, however in the workplace metaphors can possibly cause more problems and confusion more than help them. The lecture states that by making communication seem easy and effortless it leads to a more possible issues in the long-run. By employees and management feeling that communication is always easy the less likely they will put effort into explaining issues and giving examples the proper way as opposed to using metaphors. It could cause laziness, and as the lecture claims redundancy in communicating.

Ch. 5 culture and organizations

I suppose I never thought as such a thing as "organizational culture". Like the author writes, I always defined culture as a part of an heritage or ethnic background of a group of people. Or even religion, but I never thought of business' or companies having a culture. I see how the possibility of an organizational culture falls unfer a metaphorical family unit and how those guidelines which define culture can fall into the same category. Like a famiy culture, companies have a set of ways and a mission statement which they always have agreed upon to abide by. I aslo took notice of the cultural elements used to describe culture such as metaphors, rituals, stories, artifacts and etc... However I just feel like this is attempting to give a place of business such a strong background and I just don't feel that culture is necessarily the correct word to use in association with an business. Maybe that is just my opinion though.

Retrospective Sense Making Ch 4

Equivocal past and Weick's retrospective sense making theory seem like a concept learned in philosophy class, but the idea of equivocal past is very legitmate in my life. It sort of relates to the theory that "everything happens for a reason", which at the time may not make sense, but later on in our lives they do. Often that is how communications begin, through something being said or an action taking place without much thought involved and later attempted to be explained. Often times this is how communication plays out whether the explaination comes in the form of a positive or negative. I believe at one time or another we have all done this and have all later reflected. Like Weick suggests I do think that some do have a predetermined plan and attempt to act in accordance with those plans, so as to not have to question those actions later. I disagree in one part if I am understanding it correctly. Weick says that "employees do not need common goals to work well together nor do they need to know precisely what decisions they make before they make them." I think that while it is acceptable for each employee to be an individual, I think that a common goal is needed in the same work environment as well as a decision because the wrong decision could have an effect on another employee.

CH 4. Interdependence

I have never really thought about the concept of interdependence in the terms of school or work. The author uses the example of a student refusing to recognize a professors legitimacy and how this would play a harmful role in the students success in the class because the student is wholly dependent on the professor, and the professor is minimally effected. I now see how this applies to my own life, especially when I wasn't too fond of a teacher and my parents would tell me it doesnt really matter how I feel, they still hold the grades. I see how this would play in communication theories because it would be easier for both parties to depend on each other rather than one solely having an upper hand. The problem with interdependence is the lack of knowledge of a "whole" group and that can cause falter in the amount of success as a whole. While one group has knowledge of their department without even so much a murmur of another it is hard to be that whole, leading of course into the tragedy of the commons.

hawthorne effect Ch. 3 pgs. 83-84

The Hawthorne Effect claims that the increase of managerial attention to workers also leads to an increase of productivity. Now this is probably a very true theory. However, my question is what type of attention was given by management to the workers. Because assuming that an employees boss, aka their paycheck provider is around while they are working is most likely to be assumed that they will be making sure they do their job properly and in accordance with the management's liking. I would argue that this is the reason that productivity increased. I know from personal experience that when around a person holding a higher position I straighten up, put an extra pep in my step and of course (hate to say it) brown nose a little more. Ultimately causing me to do a better job than I might have if I knew I wasn't being paid any attention to.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Ch. 3

I have always been familiar with Maslows Hierarchy of needs, as I have been lectured about it an communications, to English to public relations and nutrition. However, in this concept it is relating to management. I like how the book uses mission statements from organizations such as the CIA, Nordstroms and Microsoft to tie in the concept that by a company wanting only the best, their employees will be able to improve themselves and reach Maslow's highest level which is self-actualization. In my experiences I see how this can be applied. For example, at a volunteer job I once took part in really wants their employees as well as volunteers to benefit within the company. Not necessarily growth in money, but growth within oneself. But I also agree with the author in the reference to "mindless and monotonous" jobs where reaching self-actualization is highly unlikely. I mean, the drive thru lady at Burger King might not fulfill her self actualization, the same way I know working my part-time job as a waitress won't fulfill mine.

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hello all! I am a junior-senior-(ish) here at SJSU and am currently enjoying summer vacation as I hope all of you are! Internet summer school is the best thing invented since sliced bread, and I am so glad this class is offered! Countdown to graduation begins! ONE YEAR LEFT! wooo hoo!