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Ashlee Thomas Workplace Communication Online Comm. 1010 May 5th, 2011 I. Work Environment at RadioShack a. I work at RadioShack. We sell all kinds of devices and little things you never knew you needed. Ranging from cell phones to microphones. Chances are if it’s something that has to do with technology, or fixing that technology it’s a safe bet to say we’ve got it. I, personally, am a sales associate. My job ranges from ringing up sales to stocking or unloading inventory. It really just depends on traffic, need, or opportunity. I use communication on a daily basis. Customers are in constant need of assistance or guidance which I am paid to give. II. Organizational Culture a. Dress Code i. At RadioShack we are required to wear grey polo’s with RadioShack’s logo on them. They must be a very particular shade of grey and be buttoned at least one button. To cover our bottoms we wear non-distressed jeans that are any shade of blue. While this isn’t the worst work dress code it is a step down from what the company had previously requested employees to wear. It is my belief they made this change to make RadioShack employee’s feel more like a neighbor or a friend to customers, more so than what we actually are. b. Social Customs i. As a large group of sales people we have several social customs, especially concerning the customer. Take for instance when we greet a customer, it is always with the same friendly greeting and smile. Well, and a few other things but that is a RadioShack secret! We also have customs as employee’s, which are less formal than what we use for the customers. For example, every day when we arrive for work we clock in, go over current sales, count the till, and clean the store before opening. RadioShack is also known for its ability to be social, to interact with its customers in polite, energetic, and on-key ways. Not to mention with a small group of people working at each “Shack” it quickly becomes prominent that it is important and vital for everyone to become friendly. c. Time i. RadioShack has a monochronic view of time. Being timely is very important. Especially when time is seen as money to the company. Needless to say time is also money to us employees. If we are on time, we get the hours we are scheduled for and therefore, get paid our assumed rate. If we did not view time as important the company would believe we did not view our job as important. This would result in a termination from the company. d. Degree of Structure i. RadioShack, like many other businesses is structured on many different levels and in many different ways. Each store has certain tasks, duties, and accomplishments within itself. Then, as a district, as a state that group of stores has goals it needs to accomplish and so on. This process leads the company to an overall success rate. RadioShack is very structured to ensure the company is progressing. e. Achievement Rewards i. While I think it would be unprofessional to divulge what rewards I actually receive as a RadioShack employee, I will say this; RadioShack is exceptional at providing its employees with ample opportunity and ability to gain rewards. Not just on occasion, but every day. III. Communication Networks-Informal a. At RadioShack we are a pretty informal company. While we obviously show respect for everyone, especially those higher up in rank, it is important to the company to be and remain friendly on all levels. Even within the stores it is necessary for RadioShack to maintain a “Friend/Neighbor” like feel. This aroma in the area creates an atmosphere customers and employees alike relish in. IV. Communication Channels-Upward a. Face-to-face: The quickest and easiest way to communicate with my manager is by just talking to him. This allows us to understand each word, expression, and intention with clear, responsive, and immediate action. b. Text: Is the second best way to communicate with not only my manager, but also with other employees. We can quickly send and receive various types of information with ease, quickness, and reliability. c. Telephone: Is another effective way for RadioShack employees to communicate. One quick call allows us to relay information quickly, as with text, except it offers several more in depth opportunities. Such as; tone, intent, and length of message. V. Communication Channels-Downward a. All of “upward” channels for similar purposes. b. Monthly meetings: Monthly meetings that often include two or more stores to meet are imperative to our communication success. Such meetings enable store associates, managers, and representatives to communicate easily. Without such meetings, many store locations would be unable to meet one another and communicate in the informal technique and RadioShack has established. c. Internet/Homepage: The RadioShack employee homepage allows all employees to receive new information regarding sales, updates, schedules, anything that might be of any relevance to the company. It is an easy way to communicate with all stores and employees without the large time consumption such communication often requires. VI. Communication Channels-Horizontal a. Face-to-face: Face-to-face is simply the easiest channel for RadioShack to use. It is because our store is relatively small and the fact that all of us usually work together every day, that this channel is so important. b. Text: This hugely popular way of communication within RadioShack allows employees to effectively communicate about work related information as well as personal communication to one another. c. Telephone: We are constantly using the phone to relay information to customers and even between ourselves. It is a quick way to both give information, receive it, and of course being able to hear the tone doesn’t hurt either! VII. Conclusion and Recommendations a. Fact-to-face: Works very well within our company because it allows employees to communicate in the best, easiest, and most satisfactory way. b. Text: While I personally love having the ease of sending a quick message, I would much rather see employees making a conscious effort to communicate face-to-face as much as possible. c. Conclusion: Even though I have only been with the company a short time, it has been apparent since day one how important communication and the channels in which we choose to communicate are. I truly feel like I am blessed to have a job where I enjoy going to work every day. I know that fact wouldn’t be possible if the ways in which we communicate were broken, flawed, or inadequate. I hope to take better note of the new ways we may communicate in the future.