Critiquing fellow students Blogs

My URL http://abigaylzblog.blogspot.com/  

The three Blogs I chose were:

Gabrielle Boykins http://famousmodel1083.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Jones http://keepingupwiththerealjones.blogspot.com/

Mike Baguidy http://mikebaguidy.blogspot.com/2011/08/bloggin-with-mike.html

Hi Gabrielle,   

The best description for your blog is ‘enjoyable!’ Your effervescent personality shines through in your writing; but you still manage to write informative, factually based posts. Your posts are thorough and well written while still being entertaining. So far many of the posts I’ve read have been very, ‘dry.’ Not so yours! You made the information very palatable, (as much as such information can be!). Your Blog background design is very eye-catching to me…but not for the reasons you may think. I don’t know if you have taken many biology classes, or done much work with a microscope. The background art reminds me very much of a human tissue sample from a pathology specimen on a slide under a microscope. Honest! I’ve looked at thousands and that’s the first thing that popped into my mind. I love it!

Design-Very good overall. (Even though in my twisted and crazy mind I saw medical specimens!!).

Purpose-audience- You approached the material appropriately for a student audience.

Title-Your title, ‘Make It Famous,’ reflects your effervescence and is appropriate for you.

Content-All of the content pertinent to the course was good and well written

Hi Stephanie,

Your Blog is lovely, by far the prettiest of our class! You must have access to a different group of fonts than I do, because I envy, and would like to have the ‘Handwritten,’ font on my PC.’ I love it! If you can - email me the link or settings for that, it’s really great. (I’m not as computer savvy as some of my classmates and take all suggestions and ideas gratefully. Your pictures are great, especially your husband, I hope he’s OK. Your posts are informative and readable, (I’d never heard of RSS before!). You write of your family eloquently and I can tell you love them all very much. I can commiserate with your running behind on your assignments; there just aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes! Your Blog sounds like you have a full, satisfying, (and. busy), life. By the end of the week you feel like spaghetti noodles look! Just like me!!!

Design-I liked your design very much.

Purpose-audience- The material was very good and appropriate for a student audience and lay audience with the combination of technical material and personal information.

Title-Your title, ‘Keeping up with the Jones,’ is a play on a very old phrase used in a new way, I like it very much.

Content-All of the content pertinent to the course was good and well written.

Hi Mike,

Love the koala bears! What an eye catcher on your first page! I think I would suggest, though, something on the right-hand side so it does not appear so stark, perhaps, ‘Welcome to my Home!’

I also love the first line under media technologies; ‘As the world evolves and consistently goes through its natural changes, so do the people who live in it.’ As there is no citation or notation, I can only assume the wording is yours. If so, well done!

I liked the wording of your response to ‘John’ in your, ‘Delivering Bad News,’ post.

‘After gathering that bit of information, I said to John; you can always rely on me when you are puzzled about your work,’

‘He understood clearly and thanked me for my time, patience, and honesty and then vowed to make a significant change.’

‘My strategy for delivering bad news tactfully and effectively was to be an active listener; Gather information, have a mutual understanding of the current issue, think about a possible solution that would make both parties happy and then negotiate or agree to that solution.’

All of these are positive and pro-active remarks that convey the need for change, a method of change, and do so in a pleasant, but firm manner. It uses the method of collaboration to address the situation. I’d like to be one of your employees!

Design-I liked your design very much, especially the Koalas! As I stated above, I would add something to the right side a title, quote, or another picture..

Purpose-audience- The material was very good and appropriate for a student audience.

Title-Your title, ‘Blogging with Mike,’ makes your Blog sound friendly.

Content-All of the content pertinent to the course was good and I especially liked your, ‘turn of phrase,’ in a couple of spots.

Delivering Bad News

                          Delivering Bad News Tactfully and Effectively

     When approaching an employee who is to be reprimanded poor performance, I would first call that employee into a quiet, private area. I would begin on a positive note with the employees past behavior and performance that was acceptable. I would explain for the employees benefit, and future reference, exactly what sort of job performance and personal attitude would be considered acceptable, and why it should be made acceptable. I would then calmly and concisely explain to that employee the content of the complaints against him/her, (preferably from a written list). I would be very clear about the complaints of substandard performance, complaints from customers and coworkers, and their confrontational and hostile behavior. I would also explain how their performance and attitude was affecting the business. I would end on as positive a note as possible with ideas and suggestions as to how this employee could improve their performance and attitude in the future, and thereby improve the business.

     In, ‘Business and administrative communications,’ Kitty O. Locker states that, “you want to able to answer the following”:

•        What is the big picture?

•        Why is change needed?

•        What is the purpose of the change?

•        How does the bad news relate to corporate/business objectives?

•        How will the bad news affect employees and customers (Locker, 2000)? 

     According to Kristin Wood in, How Business Writers Deliver Bad News Professionally.’(Wood, K., 2010).

     “In, ‘The Business Writer’, John Van Rys, Verne Meyer and Pat Sebranek recommend the BEBE format for delivering bad news. BEBE is an acronym for "Buffer, Explanation, Bad news (plus alternative), and Exit." She goes on to explain the use of this method; “Even with the BEBE format effectively in place, there are several phrases and words that should be avoided when delivering bad news. These phrases include, (but are not limited to), the following:

•You failed to

•You obviously did not

•You must accept

•This is your problem

•You will never

•Negligent

•Impossible

(Wood, K. 2010).

     To paraphrase a number of business commentators, some of the most important tips on managing the sharing of bad news are:

                   Tell the Truth, Respond Quickly, Disclose Everything, Maintain Control,  Exploit your strengths, Prevent Surprises. (Buchanan, J., 2010).

     Included on the Blog, ‘Vindicate,’ (2010), are these conflict resolution techniques, (among others), used to convey bad news in the business setting. Some I would use in this situation would be:

                   Remain calm, it will be more likely that others will consider your viewpoint.

                   Be specific about what is bothering you.

                   Deal with only one issue at a time.

                   Avoid accusations. Accusations will cause others to defend themselves                         

                   Don't generalize. Avoid words like "never" or "always." Such generalizations are usually inaccurate and will heighten tensions. (Vindicate, 2010).          

     There are a number of conflict resolution tools, including, but not limited to;

                   Compromise

                When using compromise to resolve a conflict, the results is that there are both some gains and some losses for each party.  (Wilmot & Locker, 2000).

                Accommodation

                With accommodation, you set aside your concerns in order to please the other party to the conflict. (Wilmot & Locker, 2007).

               Collaboration

                When a party uses collaboration to resolve a conflict, he/she shows a high degree of concern for his/her own goals, as well as for the goals of the other party to the conflict.  Collaboration invites the other party’s perspective, ideas, input, and suggestions, so that a resolution, that is to the mutual benefit of both parties, might be reached (Wilmot & Locker, 2007).

                 Collaboration is considered by many to be the most effective way to resolve a conflict situation because it entails creative solutions and flexibility on the part of both parties.  With collaboration, the end results are a win-win for both parties.

     I would, of course, be expecting some negative feedback from the employee, but I would hope for a conciliatory attitude if they were truly unaware of the effects of their behavior on the work environment.

     There are many ways of dealing any hostile or negative feelings from the employee following the conversation about their behavior. According to Seiter, J. S., & Gass, R. H., Perspectives on persuasion, social influence, and compliance gaining. (2004).

                 Strategies are blueprints for goal achievement; they represent systematic plans that organizational members follow to influence the behaviors and actions of others in the organization (Berger, 1986). Frost (1987) identifies five social influence strategies that are commonly used in organizational settings:

   1.Reasoning—the use of facts and data to support the development of a logical argument.

   2.Ingratiation—the use of impression management, flattery, and the creation of goodwill.

   3.Assertiveness—the use of a direct and forceful approach.

   4.Sanctions—the use of organizationally derived rewards and punishments.

   5.Altruism—appealing to the goodwill of others. (Seiter& Gass, 2004).

     The outcome of the confrontation can be positive for both the employee and for the company if the bad news is approached and shared in such a way as to limit conflict and negative or hostile feelings on the part of the employee.

                                                                    References

Buchanan, John. (November, 5, 2010). Strategies for delivering negative news in business. eHow. Retrieved from:  http://www.ehow.com/list_7450559_strategies-delivering-negative-news-business.html

Locker, Kitty O. (2002). Business and administrative communications. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill.

Seiter, J. S., & Gass, R. H. (2004). Perspectives on persuasion, social influence, and compliance gaining. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Vindicate.  (June 23, 2010). Conflict resolution guidelines & tips.  Retrieved from:  http://vindicate.forum-nation.com/t74-conflict-resolution-guidelines-tips

Wilmot, William W. & Hocker, Joyce l. (2000).  Interpersonal conflict. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill.

Wood, Kristin. (April 21, 2010). How Business Writers Deliver Bad News Professionally.  Retrieved from:  http://www.suite101.com/content/how-business-writers-deliver-bad-news-professionally-a228369

Cultural Diversity

     My small town was 99.9% White until a few years ago. Now we have a large Hispanic and Indian population, and a growing Black, Asian and Middle-eastern population. I have always been fascinated by cultural diversity and languages, so this boom in varied immigrants has been an enjoyable learning experience for me. The problem is that of language in the medical setting. If you have a sick 2 year old in the middle of the night, you want to be able to communicate with the caregiver. I have made it a point to learn greetings and various medical terms and commands in several languages, just to be able to function at a level somewhere near where I want to be with my patients. I want to be able to comfort a small child or get my point across to an elder. I have spent my own money on phrasebooks and ‘flash-cards’ to aid in this pursuit. I am viewed by some of my co-workers as a little odd for doing this, but I feel that each patient deserves the best communication of what is happening to them as I can possibly give. I think that each person, regardless of their culture, country of origin, or background, is just as important and just as deserving of respect, compassion, acceptance, and care as any other. This is even more profoundly felt for children.

      I have tried to educate myself in the various social values and personal beliefs of the people I come in contact with from other cultures. I am aware many of them have differing views on personal, social space and what is acceptable in public. I also know that some cultures do not like to be touched without first being asked for permission; in some cases permission must be given from a parent or a spouse. If the case is extremely difficult to explain with limited phrases, cards, or gestures, we call in an interpreter if one is available for the language in question.

      Above all, I try to be patient and empathize with the patient and their situation, I could not imagine being sick in a hospital in another country where no one spoke English. I try to communicate as clearly and directly as possible with the patient, given my limited means, but at the same time to be sensitive to the patient’s needs and fears. So far, luckily, I have been able to be competent, helpful, and compassionate with the multi-cultural, multi-language peoples I have dealt with in the hospital.

Another day in the life...

Today has been exhausting! My little granddaughter, Katilyn 3, ran a fever of 101.9F-102.5F all night, so what little sleep I got was sitting up on the couch with her. She was better by morning, but tired and cranky all day which put the kibosh on all I had planned to accomplish today. She felt more like herself in the evening and I cooked fresh picked corn, green beans, potatoes, and okra for dinner, all of which my dad grew, and she loves. Then my sister arrived with my three grandnephews, Chris 14, Alex 12, and Ethan 11. They and Katilyn played outside in a wonderfully cool and golden twilight Georgia evening, while I cleaned up the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher, and my sister and dad watched a western. Then, after they left, I gave Katilyn her bath and we read a story and sang a few of the songs she has learned in headstart. Now she's sound asleep, and I have a few minutes to work on my school work and unwind before collapsing into bed. I pray Katilyn has a better night, not for my sake, but for hers. I can handle just about anything! Praise God!

It's all new to me!

     Hi! I am a pretty unconventional old(ish) lady, so there is no telling what I will discuss in this blog! I am a Mom and Grandma, I read eeeeeverything, but my favorites are historical fiction and epic novels, along with good mysteries and suspense...no romantic #*%&, please. I love the educational channels on TV more than the "popular" ones, I am fascinated by historical dramas and documentaries and can get lost in archaeological or paleontological details. I love to learn, or experience something new or amazing everyday. I have always met my kids and nieces and nephews with the question...'What's something wonderful you learned today?' I love all animals, most especially my huge Malamute dog, Chief, my three kitty's, and the horses in the pasture across the road. I am a staunch Christian, and I believe all things are God made. I do however, also know, (scientifically), that all things were evolved from a 'big bang,' or other celestial event. I think the two beliefs can live side by side, because who knows how long God's days of creation really were? A couple of billion years each? I love flowers and know a great deal about them, tame and wild, I am a rock-hound, and an arrow-head and Native artifact collector. I love entomology and have a huge insect collection dating back to my childhood. In short, I love life and want to enjoy and experience the wonder I see in the world everyday. There is too much beauty around us to dwell on the ugly parts of life. My favorite quote? "Turn you face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." Helen Keller