(My goal is always to write bright observations on my class readings, but by the time I am falling asleep at the books around midnight the sentences lose their wittiness.) Today's blog is about a stand-alone chapter we got to read, pulled out of a book titled Organizational Communication Diagnosis and Change. We got to … Continue reading Big Terms and small details
Organizations are Relational
Chapter 4 in my organizational communication text is Relational Strategies of Organizing. It discusses the relational aspects of organizations, and organizational structures that take advantage of them rather than try to control them. The USA, it seems, doesn't generally fare well with relational themes -- we have too much distrust between management and employees. Relational … Continue reading Organizations are Relational
Writing Paper — fiction vs. reality
I thought about Sarah's blog on modeling clay while working on my first paper for my organizational communications class. There was a certain odd connection. The paper was to be a critical analysis of an academic research paper, and there was something in the assumptions of the research team that reminded me of some of … Continue reading Writing Paper — fiction vs. reality
Happy little working songs
Ever wonder how cleaning or working just makes some people break out into song? While sending the kids off to do some housework Saturday I started thinking about the various songs written about the joys of cleaning and working. Here is the small list I came up with, with some video clips to play to remind … Continue reading Happy little working songs
The un-piano bar
It wasn't what I expected. Bar opened at 5 p.m., piano wasn't supposed to start playing until 6 p.m., the band wasn't to start until 9 p.m. or something like that. First two drinks at $1 apiece, free appetizers until 7 p.m. With a setup like that, I knew we would be leaving before the … Continue reading The un-piano bar
The distracting beat of the drummer
Have you ever tried to dance a waltz while polka music was playing? Have you ever tried to sing a madrigal while bongo drums were playing? Okay, my examples might be a little far afield. I thought of the first one earlier today as a sort of metaphor. The second one, though I have actually … Continue reading The distracting beat of the drummer
A team of one
(Another class notes blog.) Okay, chapter three of Downs and Adrian is not one I will use during the class: Conducting Team Audits. Unless, of course, I become a team of one. Basic Considerations For being client focused toward a common goal, being too independent or competitive are weaknesses. The rest of the chapter … Continue reading A team of one
Phishing incompetence
Tonight I learned that the government in Washington had completed a survey and selected my name as one of 1500 people to receive a $9,800.00 grant that I didn't have to pay back that I could use for any legitimate expenses I wanted, like paying off bills or home improvements. Of course, the person who … Continue reading Phishing incompetence
Planning is worth the time spent.
A few days ago I wrote a blog discussing the first chapter of one of my textbooks for by current master's course. The book, Assessing Organizational Communication: Strategic Communication Audits by Cal W. Downs and Allyson D. Adrian, talks about a positive audit, the communication audit. Today I am going to use the blog to explore … Continue reading Planning is worth the time spent.
Self-Motivated cleaning
"I am dividing my stuff into three bags: things I want to keep, things to get rid of and laundry." Tonight, quite suddenly, Nathan stood up from his computer in the living room, announced, "I'm going to clean my room," and disappeared into his room. Some time later he came out with a black garbage … Continue reading Self-Motivated cleaning
At The Rainbow 