Communication

Over the past six weeks, our team and class has come together to make significant strides. Not only have we learned to work together, but we have also learned how to manage and deal with people. Handling situations and managing people is not something one picks up after a few days, it takes weeks, months, and years to master. This course set us on the right track to success in the real world. At the beginning of the course, we did not know everyone in our class and group. People probably had predetermined notions about others and held back some thought, but over the past month and a half, everyone has learned to accept, communicate, and manage others in a businesslike manner. Many simulations, exercises, and activities helped everyone along in learning the ropes of successful group work.

One thing that contributes to learning is physical acting or role-playing of a situation. These simulations put one another in a position they have most likely never been in before. The positions of a boss or manager, an employee struggling for communication, or even a disgruntled customer are a few examples. What this forces us to do as a group is apply ourselves in different situations and use the concepts we have learned in class. We "fill" the shoes of other people to get a true feel of what situation is and how to deal with it correctly. Role-plays and simulations all go along the lines of the clichÐ"©, "there is no substitute for experience."

The first simulation our group did was a lot of fun. The task we had on hand was to show how some people use communication the wrong way, and compare it to the correct way. Seeing that communication is one of the most important aspects of day-to-day life, the topic could not be stressed enough. Yes, EQ, listening skills, conflict management skills, and leadership skills are all important, but they are all the basis of communication. At first, our group did not know what to do to show the different ways people use communication, but then it hit. OFFICE SPACE! Not only is Office Space a great movie, but it illustrates how communication should not be done. This was it, we would recreate a scene and then show the correct way it should have been done. A group meeting was called and the writing of a script began. We had all seen the movie numerous times so it was quite easy to make it flow. Everyone gathered and we talked the situation over. We discussed the specific aspects that made the scene an example of terrible communication. We found that the manager (Bill Lunnberg) did not communicate to employees, avoided subjects, and wasted much time doing useless things. Not only did Bill have bad communication skills, he did not have personable skills or EQ.

In the scene that we recreated, we found three things that Bill Lunnberg did not do. First, he did not confront. Milton, another major character, who had lost his job five years prior, but still received a paycheck, did not know he had lost his job. The management did not confront him or bring forth the issue of him still being there. It was only until the consultants came in, that they fixed the "glitch in the mailroom." Secondly, the management did not contain the situation. They allowed Milton to stay on the job even though he was laid off. This is an example of poor management skills and a place where containment is needed. If someone is laid off, they are laid off for a reason, and need to be moved out immediately. Thirdly, management did not connect. When someone connects, they offer an alternative to an employee or coworker. This usually remedies the problem and leaves people on better terms. These three concepts are needed when resolving conflict, so remember the three C's.

The next presentation we did in class was the Vanatin case. In this case, a pharmaceutical company had to make a decision on whether or not they should go forth and keep a potentially harmful drug in production and on the shelves. Companies are in tough positions when it comes down to this type of problem. Taking the drug off the shelf could make the company suffer a huge loss and that is the last thing a company wants. Secondly, the company could halt any further production and let the drugs that are left be sold. Thirdly, they could stop all advertisements and promotions of the drug. Fourthly, they could sell the drug and continue regular efforts to produce, market, and distribute. Fifthly, they could continue all production while taking legal, political, public relations, and other necessary actions to prevent the FDA from banning Vanatin. Our group had an extremely easy time figuring out our point of view.

Before planning a group meeting, each member read the case thoroughly. We made a decision as to which option we would each choose and then presented our stance at the meeting. Amazingly, our group was in unanimous agreement on two options. We chose to stop all production of Vanatin immediately, recall inventory, and destroy it