A Sharp Stick in the Eye or a Good Poke in the Rib?

The Three Stooges - Larry, Mo, & Curly made a poke in the eye funny.

 We love to laugh. However, humor must be employed in the proper context and setting. Used wisely, it can create powerful and memorable messages. Cavalier and careless use of humor can have devastating consequences for the messenger. While there may be certain subjects or instances where humor may limit the effectiveness of a message, it is also persuasive, can break monotony, capture audience attention, and create a memorable message.

Each election season we are inundated with campaign ads. Whether on television, radio, the internet, or in print, these messages become a steady an irritating drone of noise for many. Each one represents millions of advertising dollars aimed at persuading the voting public that a particular candidate or piece of legislation is worthy or dangerous. Occasionally, a campaign may calculate that the injection of humor will set their politician apart from the others. However, this tactic has also proven to have disastrous results.

Hmmm…Where To Go For Dinner?

                                      One of my heroes and mentor, Rich Melman talks management.
 
The reputation of an organization is driven by its core ethical principles. It is a difficult climate for businesses and competition for the coveted dollars of customers is fierce. While, generating profits and maintaining a strong bottom line are the primary purposes of businesses, ethical practices such as a Kantian or Utilitarianism approach define companies, are tangible manifestations of the culture at every level, and are vital to persuading consumers as they choose which establishments to patronize.

Companies spend countless hours contemplating the precise wording for a mission statement. Many organizations expound lofty and admirable ethics combined with customer focused ideals, while others declare dominance in the marketplace. However, these carefully crafted proclamations are not always accurate representations of a company’s ethics. Customer loyalty is determined through the practice of business ethics. There are numerous ethical theories by which the public can be persuaded.

In Demand of Civil Rest

It was a celebratory mood. There were drugs, alcohol, sex, and video cameras. Convicted murderer, Richard Speck was thoroughly amused by his exploits and Charles Manson was planning a wedding. Such has been the scene in prisons across the United States, as those incarcerated for heinous crimes live out their days after committing horrific acts against innocent citizens. While some may argue that capital punishment has no place in civilized society, it may also be argued that this effectively removes those who fail to behave in a humane manner, sends a message to those who would perpetrate grisly crimes, and gives some measure of closure to the victims and families. Passion abounds on both sides on the issue of capital punishment.

Telecommuting: A Remote Possibility, Power Point Presentation

I’m in a Pickle…Again

Workplace dilemmas
 
Sometimes workplace matters can cause an employee to feel like they are caught in the middle of the game, “Pickle”. Rather than succumbing to futility, individuals in such frustrating positions may instead choose to initiate a thoughtful and articulated set of responses. While most people strive to abide by a code of ethics and moral responsibility, the following workplace conflicts may challenge these senses, invoke fear, and collide with a need for job security, causing employees to carefully consider effective communication techniques as they navigate troublesome issues.
 
Case #1—The Boss’s Expense Report
Your boss conveniently loses his expense report for his last trip. On his way into a meeting, he drops a blank report on your desk and asks you to fill in the blanks, saying, “Make it add up to $300 or so.” What will you do? 

Given, the matter involves a supervisor and a subordinate, this situation requires the use of subtlety and tact. As the authors of the class text state, “Workplace relationships are more or less mandatory relationships (if one wants a job and intends to keep it)” (Cahn & Abigail, 2014, p.268). In this case I think the prudent approach would be to conveniently assume that my boss simply forgot to give me the receipts and respond accordingly.

Telecommuting: A Remote Possibility

The world is flat, and that is great news! Communication is instant, efficient, and inexpensive. Mobile technology has given individuals and organizations immediate connectivity, access to the internet while providing businesses the ability to transcend barriers of time, distance, and language. Telecommuting has become a natural extension of this. While some may argue it is more difficult to manage employees remotely, telecommuting offers many mutually beneficial aspects such as reduced cost, increased efficiency, better work-life balance, greater collaboration, and a more diverse workforce with untapped potential for remote possibilities.

The Future

                        Figure 1. (Jacoby, 2015).

Certainly, managing a remote workforce presents a new set of challenges, and certain Celluphone (2012) locations require traditional employment methods. However, mobile devices have changed the face and function of modern workplaces. Therefore, integration of these technologies with the goals and practices of the organization will further objectives as set forth by management. An article in The Journal of Leadership Studies cites the following functions as factors that contribute to success in this type of endeavor. These include the ability to diagnose, adapt, and communicate tasks and behaviors to employees in remote situations (Gibson, Domwell, Dominicus, & Demerath, 2002, p. 81). These remote interactions may appear less personal and controllable.

Dance Magazine Article, Misty Copeland: Changing the Realm of Ballet

Misty Copeland  speaks about changing the face of ballet.


Skeletal bodies, pallor, and training begun in early childhood are all stereotypical characteristics of Prima Ballerinas. It is these standards that have kept many talented ethnicities from the upper ranks in ballet companies, until now. While the dance world is steeped in traditions, important changes are occurring and at the forefront is Misty Copeland, a young African-American ballerina whose talent has broken stereotypes, opened the door for ethnic diversity, expanded interest in this art form, and changed the realm of ballet forever.

As dancers and readers of this publication may recall, Dance Magazine featured an article entitled “The Misty Copeland Effect” (Comaneci, 2015). Famed Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci explored the atypical rise of an African-American ballet dancer in a world held captive by unwritten rules and almost impossible physical standards for those awarded star status. It is the unlikely rise and stardom of a dancer who did not fit neatly into the mold of those before her which inspires and captivates public attention. Although Copeland’s skin color was a major deterrent, it would not be the only difficulty on her path to a well-deserved success.