What makes a good blog?

A good blog is something that can contribute to a creative society by creative means. Creativity comes in a variety of forms through visuals, form of expression, layout and physical design, and subject matter, not to mention delivery of subject matter. If one was to creatively present a blog about organic coffee, it should expressively pull the audience into the aromatic world of the bean, intoxicatingly reeling in people through its presence and aesthetics. The idea of creatively presenting a more academic topic comes at greater challenge. Academics can still be presented in an interesting manner. In this course we accumulate the knowledge gained throughout the communications major and formulate a blog to deliver a specified set of information. The communications major prepares the individual to understand technical writing to properly understand how a platform, and technological medium as blogging can be utilized to reach an audience appropriately. In regarding three fellow classmates’ blogs I was able to acquire more, practical knowledge regarding the creative use of blogs in reaching an audience, through their own design and in comparison of my own crafted blog.

The first blog I reviewed was created by Deneishreon Washington, found at http://communicationjourney2013.blogspot.com/2013/06/delivering-bad-news-tactfully-and.html. This blog takes more of an academic approach to presenting the blog posts. She borders the centered text with a wallpaper picturing shelved library books, which brings a whimsical look to the subject matter. Dee, choose a very neat look for the layout, centering the text on an eggshell colored background, and plain black text. Her header is simple with the title of the present course, Communication 480, in eggshell, on a taupe background. The color scheme suits the book border well, and equally the subject theme.

Dee’s blog is easy to read by aesthetics alone, but it could stand a bit more of a splash of color. Perhaps some images, not necessarily pictures, but graphics could parallel well with her theme while complementing the subject matter. It could also use some warm touches like a pic of herself, or some icon to represent the person attached to the text. The ideas presented in the text are cohesive and present a good working knowledge of practicing communications. However, the articles could use some further editing and proofing.

The following blog considered was created by Jeannie Swint, http://thereshouldbea12stepprogramforthis.blogspot.com/. This blog is of great contrast to the previous, using many visuals throughout the blog. Each post is accompanied by a complementary graphic or picture to visualize what the text is presenting. The colors are set in a unique scheme: a charcoal gray geometric background pulls the reader’s eyes toward the text. The text is centered on a plain charcoal background with white text, which makes it easy to read through, as well as visually interesting. The visuals sometimes carry the text; indeed, often I find myself looking at the pictures only to realize I had not been reading the text.

The text itself is full of creative thought and ties together well to suit one audience, whether that audience fits the classmates of a communications course, or people plainly interested in commentary on human interaction. The blog is strong with its level of visuals and its blogger profile and picture in the margin, yet the posts still require some proofing and editing. The post “Be careful: your faux pas is showing…” (June 27, 2013) still needs some formatting assistance to group text together. This blog is a great reference point for visuals absolutely.

The third blog was put together at http://coffeewithcolette.blogspot.com/, by Tracy (Colette) Tennant. This blog captures more of a heartfelt presence in its text rich posts. The blog posts featured are lengthier than others reviewed, employing an approach to the heart. They tell stories and use dynamic text to give imaginative and real events to allow readers to comprehend the communications principles included. The posts provide great insight into what it means to use a proper understanding of communications in daily life. Together they create a cohesive blog to reach any mom-blogger, the individual studying such a subject, or the single girl. The name says it all in its truest of personal approaches using: coffeewithcolette.blogspot.com.  The layout, lastly, makes reading though the text clean and clear, with proper line and paragraph breaks, text size, and use of bulleting to break up monotony. The wallpaper is subtle and whimsical, while allowing the audience to concentrate on the readings.

All of these blogs are invariably different, using different color schemes to enhance the visual display of the text, employing visuals, and through a functional or whimsical use of text. Each of these blogs brings something creative to blogging. For the use of my own blog they show me the ability of versatility even when our posts parallel in topics, they are altered in usage and presentation. I see for myself, I can choose to maintain my blog, but be sure to continually tie in my own creative touches; I feel in these considerations of each blog that what makes a good blog is ingenuity and creativity. People enjoy being a part of things that are new, whether that means how I introduce visuals or how I creatively write my post material, I need to carve that freshness for myself.   

           

 

References:

Swint, Jeannie. (27 June, 2013). http://thereshouldbea12stepprogramforthis.blogspot.com/. Retrieved 8 July, 2013.

Tennant, Tracy. (1 July, 2013). http://coffeewithcolette.blogspot.com/. Retrieved 8 July, 2013.

Washington, Deneishreon. (6 July, 2013). http://communicationjourney2013.blogspot.com/2013/06/delivering-bad-news-tactfully-and.html. Retrieved 8 July, 2013.

Considering a scenario of employee communication

Employee communication

            In communication with people it is necessary to understand ones purpose beforehand. Understanding ones purpose can prepare oneself for the confrontation when needing to deliver negative information especially. Should I be in the position of managing a team of employees that would require me to present negative information it would be required of me to present myself well, with confidence and preparedness. Bad news can open doors for miscommunication, anger, and generally poor reception in listening skills. If it came to my needing to present an employee with negative information I would need to get all of my ducks in a row in order to present the information with the upmost consideration for that individual, his feelings, culture, and understanding of the situation.

            In considering of the scenario that I should be the manager of a mid-sized company and an employee had become confrontational there may be many plausible ways by which the situation could be managed. I can before approaching the employee try to assess his behavior as of late. Perhaps there is a reason for the change in behavior. It occurs that in stress people can become angered and feel an inability to cope with the surmounting pressure. It can also occur that in the absence of stimulation at work boredom can produce a substandard level of work. People who feel unchallenged sometimes meet a point at which they feel that their efforts are without reward and may begin to withdraw from performing well at work because of the lack (Cahn, 2007). If it was discovered that part of the belligerent employee’s problem met the criteria for either of these stress related issues, measures could be met in order to try to rectify the problem. In the lack of stimulation the employee could be placed on certain projects that would be catered to his skills, if available, or even be given special assignment to learn a new skill within the company. Something a change of scenery can do wonders. In the case of being overworked, some smaller tasks could be reallocated to other employees to balance the workload.

            There does come a point however, when employees run their course in the company and need the chance to consider for themselves if this is the case. Approaching the employee should come in the upmost care. “Effective conflict management occurs when our communication behavior produces desirable results for all the parties concerned” (Cahn, 2007, p.8) I would ask him to my office. Upon arrival I would sit near to the employee not separated by the desk in order to try to create some trust away from the position of authority. It would be my hope that in so doing I would gain better ground for conversation and reason. In conversation I would be direct, establishing the problem as a matter of effect on the business and increased difficulty of organizational efficiency because of the employee’s behavior and actions. By illustrating the effect I am allowing the employee to take note of the responsibility and accountability he holds to the organization and its people. After I deliver this information I would alert the employee to his options in rectifying the error, increase his standing in the company or face dismissal.

            It would be my hope that he would come to terms with the information I presented and want to fix the problem for the sake of his job. It may come to this though, that he would no longer find attachment to the position and want to be let go, perhaps even put in his notice. There of course lies the option that he would feel the information to be unjustified and become aggravated. Perhaps he would feel wronged by the company, hence “causing” his recent mood, and this news would only feel like salt in the wound. In this case, should the employee become greatly confrontational it would be healthiest for the organization to discontinue employee.

 

Cahn, D.D., & Abigail, R.A. (2007). Managing conflict through communication (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-205-68556-1

Media technology

Summary assessment on media technology

Media technology hold an important impact to our social and productive lives. Media technology consists of varying platforms, but their purpose remains relative. We have designed media technology to match our wants and needs in our daily lives, for connectivity and for business management. Connectivity with one another is an essentially need as social creatures. But what it means to be connected has evolved with us through our technological understandings of the world. Television, blogging, social media, and email are just four types of mainstreaming media technology that have become something that people use frequently.

Television is my favorite media technology because of its wide diversity and unique platform. Television mixes audio and visual technology to aesthetically communicate to people. It has become one of the most important media technology in our modern day. People all over the world are connected around the clock by the updating media released in television. New broadcasting has become more powerful than when it was strictly in news print and radio formats. Newspaper has delayed content and cannot be relied upon to update the world so quickly. Radio is a good way to deliver the message. But in combined formats, the television allows for the receiver to regard the message with some skepticism. It allows the audience watch, listen and consider.

In continually updates available on the television the world is able to stay updated immediately on anything happening in the world. We are able to become more connected and unified as a global people when we can regard what happens to others in different countries. It helps to acquire an understanding of what makes for a better world and a stronger people. When we can watch how the world works on television we can learn from the progress and struggles of others and adjust for progress of our own civilization. Even as multicultural and multifaceted entertainment, television offers a “something for everyone” mix of programming. Because of its many channels offered the information gained on television is categorized into interest and purpose. The channels themselves hold more programming from which to choose. Television provides for the people in its diversity to match the diversity of minds and cultures of the people.

Blogging is an interesting form of media technology. It allows a user to create a blog, a collection of snippets of information or articles, for an audience to peruse. Sometimes this blogs are purely personal, reflecting on the life and thoughts of the blog creator, or blogger. Sometimes the information on the blog is created and assembled in order to create a connection with others because of the interest. I enjoy looking at cooking blogs, for instance. As someone who takes interest in the culinary arts but is not in professional culinary standing I consider people who take the same interest as I, but who have tried to foster their own professionalism in the field by publishing a blog of recipes, information and pictures. Checking out these blogs gives me insight into cooking I have not been able to create myself, or to see the use of ingredients and flavors I have never worked with.

In moving to China I found it difficult to make friends with other foreigners just for reasons of scarcity. I took to looking online to acquire a blog about someone living abroad to help me learn something about how to do it well, learning communication tactics, finding Western good and food stuffs, getting used to customs, and commiserating over the shear difference of the environment. These are all things I would have discussed with a peer who had the experience of living abroad, but since I did not have that relationship with someone looking to blogs was the next best thing. I was able to acquire important information from another’s experiences which fed me confidence and encouragement. Blogging can make connections with people in all corners of the world to share information. Each blog meets a different audience, and with the great diversity of blogs in subject matter it makes it easier for all people to find something.

Blogging can be used in a business setting as well, indeed all types of media technology can be used to progress business, but social media started as strictly social atmosphere. Social media is an interesting and young platform for creating connections between people. Social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have created big names for themselves about the entertainment and social circuits. Facebook allows users to create profiles to show something of themselves and keep updates about their personal lives. On Facebook the user can post media, like pictures and videos, they can even play online games and keep in contact with chat capability. All of these things are a great way to keep updated in friends’ lives. There are many celebrities and organizations that have chosen to become a part of Facebook in order to stay close to their audience. Maintaining a business profile on Facebook for instance allows general people to become involved in the things they enjoy—for the organization it is a means of marketing and public relations.

Because of strict online censorship Facebook is not available for me while I live in China. I used to be on Facebook constantly always keeping my updates current, posting photos of my daily activities. Frankly, I thought I would miss Facebook, but in China, Facebook is not the culture so I have lost the interest. WeChat and QQ messaging, then Weibo have made their place in Chinese social media. Weibo is akin to Facebook in its profile making, and function of keeping updates and posting some media. It is used well for business as well as social. A friend of mine has started a wedding planning company and she uses Weibo to check out other wedding planners and keep a business profile for prospective clients.

Email has become a very user friendly and helpful type of media technology. Snail mail, as it is called now, takes time. In this progressing and fast paced world, taking ones time means taking somebody else’s time as well. Businesses can no longer strictly rely on the time it takes to send documents in the post, and in volume, postage can become very pricey. To reduce costs and save that needed time in running a successful business more have turned to email. Email gets the mailing job done quickly. It becomes reliable for efficiency of productivity this way, while also allowing for a paper-trail of communications, which proves helpful when needing to conduct business. Having the transcript of the communications ensures that all parties are on the same page of information.

Email is not limited to text. Email can consist of mixed media, transmitting PowerPoint Presentation, visuals, and media files and even documents. This allows for security being able to manage all of these types of materials that need to be transmitted to other parties, there becomes more guarantee in delivery than in postal mail, and the lines are more confidential. Furthermore, relying on email to handle business and communications provides for the planet, reducing paper and expenses of managing such.

An umbrella for all seasons

"Eskimos have innumerous different words for snow," I have heard before. I have seen snow and would certainly consider myself to have many different words for the scene, but I cannot fathom so many words as an Eskimo could provide. It doesn't rain much in my hometown that rests on a beach of Southern California, just enough to show me the kindness of rain and its calming spirit.

Guangzhou rain is a different breed. I try to come up with many different words to describe the kind of rain that soak this region. It encourages me though because I feel capable in my rain-speak even to say drizzle, mist, a light shower, a gentle rain, a sprinkle, a downpour, torrential rain, heavy rain, a storm, a windy rain, and a monsoon, to name a few--all of these I have experienced while living in Canton for near two years time. In teaching my friends these descriptions of rain they seem baffled. I get the picture that rain is rain to a Chinese person. "Sure heavy rain is heavy rain, but rain gets you wet either way so how do the fancy words of what it look like change that fact?" seems to be a common philosophy of the locals.

It's taught that when someone stays out in the rain, or gets a wet head in the rain, it causes a cold. In American culture we've acquired the understanding that this is, in much part, an old wives' tale. We shake off a sprinkle as being less than that of a real rain and don't shy away from the moisture so timidly. Perhaps we've raised ourselves to be a hearty water people. In fact we often can't be bothered by having to be responsible for an umbrella and choose hats or hooded jackets instead. Umbrellas are for real rain not piddly drizzles. But the Chinese always have umbrellas: in the mist, in the sprinkling shower, in the break of rain, in the sunshine, let alone when it's actually raining.

I never considered it to be a philosophical argument: is it raining outside? Of course, I never considered owning four umbrellas either. I suppose that's the Chinese influence in me--an umbrella for all seasons.

Beans, beans the magical fruit

China has beans. A lot of different kinds of beans actually. Red, lima, soy, some black, some other kind of black, and so many green beans. But the point is there aren't any pinto beans. Starbucks isn't my favorite coffee, but in the least they supply me with my favorite bean. Beans are cultural, and taken for granted as I have found. They thing about beans is that you do not recognize how much they influence your gastronomy until you move continents and the beans around you remind you of the Twilight Zone.

I'm Mexican-American, among many other things, but at this point in time, this label suits my plight. I like pinto beans. I was taught that beans and rice are one word, and are to be eaten together. Living in Southern China gets me confused and disoriented; I find rice everywhere I go but without beans accompanying them like they ought. I like rice, and I love Chinese food. I miss pinto beans.

I found a place I like to go on Wednesdays, Tekila, a Mexican food restaurant. On Wednesdays they serve half-priced fajitas. It used to be that every Wednesday I would go with my buddies after work to get said fajitas, until I had a side-swiping revelation. I'm at a Mexican food place, and I'm here to buy fajitas--which DO NOT come with beans and rice?? How long have you been allowing this to happen, Annaliisa Garcia? Like one of those moments in a cartoon with a funny little conscience character sitting on my shoulder I felt ashamed I had wasted so many Wednesdays not eating any beans and rice. I learned the err of my ways; now I go to Fajita night for enchiladas--much improved.