Verified Document

Management Analysis Words Unlimited Is Research Proposal

Employees blamed management for the perceived lack of opportunities created by new employees, while management blamed employees for the lack of customer orders filled. This conflict seems to have reached a deadlock, as feelings are so volatile that effective communication is all but impossible. However, by considering some basic elements of communication, both management and employees can return to their previous level of effectiveness, and the Words Unlimited can become effective again. Resolution and Recommendations

According to Sharland, the above situation is an example of conflict being suppressed. Nobody is willing to admit to making mistakes, with both management and employees blaming each other for the company's current situation. Communication is marked by resentment and blame, without any sector of the company attempting to understand the points of the other. This suppresses the creativity and intercultural effectiveness that were previous hallmarks of the company.

In order to remedy this, communication literature has been consulted. Kwintessential Ltd. For example names the key competencies and characteristics of intercultural communication as open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, patience and self-awareness. In Words Unlimited's history, communication has been minimal, but what communication did occur was always respectful and interculturally viable. The current conflict is not culturally based, but can be resolved by means of the above characteristics. Both employees and managers should operate from a basis of particularly open-mindedness and patience. These will then encourage the inquisitiveness and self-awareness that has brought about the company's historical success.

Focusing particularly on management, Rob Johanssen provides some tips on effective communication within the workplace. He for example suggests that managers should "know their workplace negativity." This means that the basis of the conflict should be investigated and clarified. In the case of Words Unlimited, managers and employees blame each other respectively...

This has resulted in the current negative situation, and this needs to be the focus of resolution. Understanding this can help managers to resolve the conflict.
Johanssen also suggests that space should be allowed for workers to provide their input. In Words Unlimited, it has never been considered necessary to solicit employee input. Workers simply abided by company rules of excellence and were in general left to their own devices for completing orders. The responsibility of management was to issue accurate and regular payments according to the work completed. The system was simple and was not considered to need changing. The sudden influx of customers however changed this. In responding to change, the needs of existing workers were overlooked. The latter perceived the influx of workers as a lack of confidence in their own abilities.

To resolve this conflict, it is impractical to expect the global workforce to gather in one physical location. An online forum is therefore suggested, by means of which all persons could raise their opinions. The basis of this forum should be to create a no-blame environment, where both management and workers will "listen" to the other's reasons for actions and feelings. The aim should be a better understanding of each viewpoint without instigating further conflict. This forum can then be a permanent addition to the company's operation, with workers allowed to add any input or suggestions that they feel necessary. The online nature of the forum allows for input at any time during a 24-hour day, and will open communication channels and reduce conflict.

Sources

Johanssen, Rob. Tips for Effective Workplace Communication. 2006, Sept 5. http://searchwarp.com/swa94412.htm

Kwintessential Ltd. Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. 2008. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/intercultural-communiction-global-workplace.html

Sharland, Alan. Workplace Communication and Conflict. 2008. http://www.communicationandconflict.com/workplace.html

Sources used in this document:
Sources

Johanssen, Rob. Tips for Effective Workplace Communication. 2006, Sept 5. http://searchwarp.com/swa94412.htm

Kwintessential Ltd. Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. 2008. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/intercultural-communiction-global-workplace.html

Sharland, Alan. Workplace Communication and Conflict. 2008. http://www.communicationandconflict.com/workplace.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Management Seminar Demonstrate a Basic Understanding of
Words: 2864 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

Management Seminar Demonstrate a basic understanding of the terminology, history and theories of business and management principles. Although the concept of management is already a few centuries old, the basis for the development of a science of management was laid during the Industrial Revolution. Until the 1960's diverse viewpoints on management were recognized leading to the development of a more integrated approach to management. The process approach emphasized the basic functions of

Management Effectiveness in End User Perception of Service Delivery...
Words: 3226 Length: 10 Document Type: Research Proposal

Management Effectiveness and the End User Management EFFECTIVENESS IN END USER PERCEPTION OF SERVICE DELIVERY IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF VERIZON How an end user perceives service delivery in an organization is often determined by the management of that organization. While there are many steps that a service can take between the manager and the end user, that does not mean that there is no correlation between the

Managing Reebok
Words: 3405 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

Managing Reebok History of Reebok The company of Reebok started in England in around 1890 to provide shoes which could help athletes run faster. The cleated running shoes were developed by Joseph William Foster and he had then started a company to make hand-stitched athletic shoes for the runners of that time. The enterprise continued in that manner and started with the name of Reebok International due to the starting of a

Marketing Management and Analysis Marketing
Words: 2472 Length: 8 Document Type: Thesis

Business users will be charged $45 a month for data. By giving back the revenue to the carriers, which they may use for subsidies, Apple is hoping to dramatically increase its volume, as well as sell more Macintosh computers to iPhone users" (Markoff 2008). This tradeoff illustrates an important aspect of marketing any new technology -- not only must the product be affordable, but so must the service itself. Apple

Strategic Management and Case Study
Words: 4092 Length: 13 Document Type: Chapter

Strategic Management 3900 Words on Strategic Management Why are you taking this course? I am undertaking this course in strategic management because not only is it a field that I am greatly interested in, but it is also largely for the reason that strategic management is a course that is important and applicable in different fields and aspects. To begin with, strategic management is greatly applicable to globalization which can be deemed to

Management Three Case Studies Event Management Is
Words: 2756 Length: 9 Document Type: Case Study

Management Three Case Studies Event management is a complex, yet very interesting and rewarding profession. According to some, event management involves the organized planning of a particular event, as well as research and successful execution. Such an event may range from a simple social event, such as a birthday or wedding, and can include complex events, such as corporate meetings or product launch parties and concerts. No matter what the event, however,

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now