Managerial MAN373-GS002 Communications Assignment #2
Let me start off by saying that if Mr. Bushley would of take a class in Managerial communication, he wouldn't of needed to hire a small-business consultant. Bushley situation is very common in today's society with businesses expanding in their towns, nations, and even globally. Bushley's solution is in the new technology and communication that has been rapidly growing in today's business world. The four factors were going to go over to help Mr. Bushley solve his communication issue concerning his new managers are, bandwidth, perceived closeness, feedback, and symbolism. Using these four factors of mediated communication Bushley will be able to "balance a personal life" and still be able to communicate to each of his new managers effectively and efficiently. (Hynes, 2010) Bushley is going to have to find four new managers to replace four managers that are leaving. He will have to use mediated technology to communicate because the travel alone would be exhaustive and extensive, let's not forget that they all will need to be trained. The first factor he will need to look into is the type of bandwidth he will have with these new managers. How will he appeal to their five sensory channels while giving them the support and instructions that they will need. He will need to set these managers up with a
great deal of technology. To be successful in this implementation and training he will have to setting up videoconferences, e-mail, blackberry or a work phone that supports e-mail, texting, and phone calls, and meeting them in person occasionally. In implementing these technologies there will be a plethora of bandwidth that they can communicate with. (Hynes, 2010) Perceived personal closeness will also be very important to Bushley and his new managers. They will not always be able to feel close to him if all their communication is done through technology, but then again he may hire managers that actually feel closer through mediated technology. Finding out how to make his new managers feel his perceived closeness will be of major importance in having this hiring process run smoothly. I believe hiring managers that do feel perceived closeness through mediated technology will be a deal breaking factor. Because to train four new managers that are spread out over a certain distance he will not have the opportunity to be close to them and respond to their ever need. I would suggest scheduling routine visits with his new staff while integrating mediated technology in-between. For the most effective use of time and efficiency he should use virtual workspaces to communicate with all the managers and share files, feedback, information, instructions, and anything else he may need to share with all of them simultaneously or even separately. (Anonymous, 2000) Feedback is also something Mr. Bushley will have to consider greatly because as I stated earlier some of his managers may feel neglected or uncertain of how to go about certain situations because of the lack of closeness
or even the medium he chooses to communicate with them through. Using videoconferencing will drastically cut down on Mr. Bushley's time and give him a more effective and efficient use of the time he won't have to use traveling. To help out with feedback from his new staff the other implemented technologies will help out greatly to reduce time in contracts, documents, inquiries, or any other business concerns. related For instance if one of the new managers employees were to get hurt and needed to how to go about filling out the paper work necessary for the incident. He could quickly send an email to Bushley and request a videoconference with the employee and manager while virtually showing the manager how to go about the form on the conference and still being miles away showing care and concern for the employee as well, which would prove as an effective instructional for the manager to do the forms and how to treat the employee as well. The manager would also be able to perform the rest of the bandwidth of sensory needs that the employee may have, such concerns pertaining to his job, the incident and giving the employee information and showing concern for them as well. This would prove to be a valuable mediated feedback incident to train the manager. Lastly we leave off with symbolism. Mr. Bushley was looking for staff to replace his previous "energetic and creative" staff. By communicating through these mediated technologies may form a sense of disregard or carelessness on his part. Mr. Bushley will have to convey his care and concerns very differently because of his absent presence during a crucial time in the training process, where these new managers may need to be forming and building trust, team-
work, informality, and/or show personal concerns. If the only way Mr. Bushley were to communicate to these new managers was through mediated technology I'm not so sure the symbolism to his management staff would come off correctly. He will need to spend quality time with them as well. I believe a balance between the mediated technology and regular visits until they are all up on their feet and the business practices and issues can be handled will be the best way for them and him to succeed. In saying this regular visits will be very important especially the timing. If Bushley chooses to visit solely at times when things are not going so well, the managers may symbolize his visits as unwanted or reprimanding. To insure this does not happen regular visits scheduled by both the managers and Bushley should be normal, should it fall on days and times when business is good then good, but should it fall on times when business isn't going so well then he should come to lend a helping hand and troubleshoot with his managers, and guide them with his expertise on how to go about correcting it and showing his concern for his business and the managers, employees, and so forth. Considering these four factors of mediated technology will help ServeNow and its new managers assimilate perfectly if not seamlessly into their new found company. Bushley I would suggest get trained on how to effectively using these mediated technologies for the purposes he will be using them for. As simply as they may be a lack in knowledge or understanding of how they operate can significantly hinder the goals and purposes of the technology in wasted time. That being said, these technologies will aid considerably in developing his managerial force and keep him in touch with his stores.
Reference page
Anonymous. (2000). Communicating with virtual project teams. use technology to stay connected . Harvard Management Communication Letter, 8-9. Hynes, E. E. (2010). Managerial communication, strategies and applications. (5 ed., pp. 7-8). NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books/feeds/volumes?q=9780073377759