What we can learn in our campaign tactics

Its quite interesting that my lecturer in Organizational Communication should post this link about Obama and his use of social media to win. (the link is at the end of this post.) One of the interesting things that has come out of the organizational structure of the Obama campaign  has been the realization of the power of communication. The message which was brought out was not in a top down fashion but showed reciprocity in the way the message showed the true meaning of communication. It also showed in this modern technological age that embracing new media while using traditional media (the marriage) can make the world of difference.
Its my hope that more campaigns (especially student campaigns as this is election season on the campus) will use the lessons learnt here to grow and become better communicators not only with the electorate but with their constituents.

How Obama won using Digital and Social Media

Organizational Communications- Is there a need in the 21st Century

          In today's technologically driven world, the question of communication comes up time and time again. With so many means (from traditional mediums such as telephone and fax to modern mediums such as e-mail and Virtual meetings) one has to ask if employees are really aware of the importance of communicating and doing so effectively.
I came across the following article when I was searching and though it is a bit long, it is brings out several important points that one should note when looking at communication in an organization.
 Employee/Organizational Communications

       Also we can see how important organizational Communication has become that colleges and universities have begun having classes such as COMM2926 at UWI and like the following to equip students for the workplace. NJ Today - College Offer Business Communication Class

       We can therefore see the usefulness and real need for Organizational Communication in the 21st Century. Its now up to us in the field of Communication to help make it effective and relevant.

Shared Meaning

The Late Professor Aggrey Brown

      

Its interesting the definition used by the late Prof. Aggrey Brown to define communication. He states communication as "the interactive transference of shared meanings between intelligences." The definition gives a broad definition to communication at first glance. But isn't the process of communication broad. Do we not communicate in so many ways, with so many tools and to so many people? Let's take a look at the definition and see how it applies to today's world. 

       Brown's definiton looks at the interactive transference. This means that the process is not one sided or one dimensional. It must occur between parties and as such the process is social. A man does not talk to a pole (unless he is a pole whisperer.LOL!).  Transference looks at the way the message is sent. There are so many mediums that can be used and we can send messages in so many different ways, verbally or non-verbally, electronically, digitally or analog. 

         We must then look at the meaning of the message. This meaning Brown emphasises must be shared. Shared meaning looks at the parties involved in the communication process understanding what the other is saying. They may not agree on the meaning but they do understand what the other is trying to say. And then we come to intelligences. (I'm smiling here because I remember the movie A.I.) Intelligences refer to the parties involved in the process of communication. You may say that only humans communicate but that can be disputed. Intelligences can be any entity which is able to receive and process a meaning and give feedback. (See communication process below)

Taken from: http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/images/pptip_complete_communication-1.png

     

         Let's look at Oshane and his pet dog Spot. Oshane gives spot the command to sit and Spot sits. The process of communication has occurred because Oshane has interacted with Spot, given him a message and he has gotten feedback.

     So looking at it, communication may seem to be a simple process but it isn't. There are so many factors and we will be covering these as time goes by.