Case Study – Pay Negotiations

Case Study

Kay, the finance manager at a large company faces a dilemma. Robert, who is one of the Accounts Directors and a union member, has requested an 8 percent raise for his work unit. His request is based on recent finance reports showing that his department has substantially contributed to a 15 percent profit increase for the organisation. He feels that his team should be compensated for the hard work and long hours they have put in over the last few years to achieve this outcome.

Kay knows the value of Robert’s team and readily acknowledges their achievements. However, she knows that the company has plans to expand and diversify. This new project will use up the majority of the profit increase for at least the next five years. She is willing to sit down with Robert and talk about how his team can get involved in the new project. There could be new job opportunities, some overseas assignments, and possible promotions to various leadership positions within the new project. Kay has flagged this with Robert; however, he is adamant that his team needs to be compensated with a monetary increase. He went as far as threatening to get the union involved if his request is unsuccessful.

Styles in negotiation and conflict

1. Avoiding/withdrawing (Lose-lose)

• Both party didn’t get anything out of the negotiation.

2. Accommodating (Lose-win)

• One side give in to the other party request.

3. Collaborating (Win-win)

• Both party managed to come to agreement.

4. Competing (Win-lose)

• Stand firmly with what you request from the other party.
• Not a friendly approach.

5. Compromising (Win-win, win-lose or lose-win)

• Coming out with a settlement together so both party will be satisfied.

Identify one of the conflict-handling styles (accommodating/avoiding/competing) used in this scenario. How did you determine that?

Competing conflict-handling styles is being used by Robert.

Kay has flagged this with Robert; however, he is adamant that his team needs to be compensated with a monetary increase. He went as far as threatening to get the union involved if his request is unsuccessful.

From this, can see that Robert is standing firmly with his word. This made things hard for Kay. This cause a lot of unwanted problems. Kay might have to compromise by either talking to her boss to use some of the funds for his pay increment or have to be assertive to Robert and find a way so both side will achieved a win – win situation.

Choose one of the characters and determine what bargaining approach (distributive or integrative) is used. How did you determine that?

Kay went for the integrative bargaining approach. She is willing to sit down with Robert and talk about how his team can get involved in the new project. Instead of getting the raise that Robert wanted, Kay went new job opportunities, overseas project and possible promotions to various leadership positions. This shows that she trying to compromise and negotiate a win – win situation for both party.

What aspect of interpersonal communication is contributing to the poor working environment? How is this demonstrated in the case?

There is a lack of common goals within the working environment. I believed if everyone in the company have the same goal in mind, they would want the the company to succeed before gaining more self-benefits. Kay wants the company to develop more instead of slowing down the progress by increasing Robert’s pay. While on Robert’s part he just felt that he need to be rewarded immediately for his hard work. This shows that both of them are not in the same page as Robert just want to do his work and get rewarded without thinking of the company progress. Furthermore, he even threaten to get the union involved if his request is unsuccessful. This demonstrated the poor working environment.

Using Hall’s context model (high and low context culture), describe one of the characters’ behaviour. How did you determine that?

Hall's Cultural Factors from Rimau Malaya

Using Hall’s context model, Robert is consider to fall under low context culture. His words convey explicitly most of the meaning in the communication. He is determined to get his raise and even that Kay’s proposal into considerations. This shows that Robert’s relationship with Kay is not as important as getting his raise.

Conclusion

I feel that every misunderstanding should end of in a state where both party will be satisfied. Even though it not easy, but it will benefit everyone. This can avoid all unwanted conflicts and misunderstandings.

References:

(Sources of Insight, Conflict Management Styles at a Glance, 2018)
https://www.slideshare.net/rimaumalaya980/krishkrish

 

Stereotypes

In what ways do stereotypes affect the way that we communicate with each other?

Definition of Stereotypes

-A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

-Any time you grouping races or individuals together and make a judgment about them without knowing them, this is an example of a stereotype.

Examples of stereotypes

• Guys are messy and unclean.
• Girls are not good at sports.
• All Asians are good at math. All Asians like to eat rice and drive slow.
• All Jews are greedy.
• All blonds are unintelligent
• All teenagers are rebels.
• Men are the “backbone.”

Cite one past experience you had (or witnessed) in NS/school/daily life.

I encountered an incident back when i was having a holiday with my family in Melbourne. We were shopping in a mall that day. I saw something that caught my eye in one of the clothing store , so I went up to a staff and asked for the clothing and size available. She assisted with what i need and then asked me whether i’m from China. I replied, ” nope, i’m from Singapore. She then answered, ” Isn’t Singapore in China?”

Here’s a storyboard with captions to illustrate the above experience (scenario)

I was not really affected by the encounter, but i was shocked that the retail assistant do not know where Singapore is located and just assumed that Singapore is from China. Others might be affected as they might find it racist.

What are the implications of such events occurring in your social life?

Even before communicating, others might already have an idea of you going to portray yourself. This might cause a misconception of the person even before the conversation start. The party thinks that a certain race is likely to be less educated, and because of that, people might be less interested to have a conversation.

People might think that some foreigners can’t communicate well in english due to their race or nationality and thus having minimum interaction.  Sensitive topic might be another issue as others might not know about foreign’s culture, this might cause an uncomfortable conversation. However, as long as both party willing to communicate with an open heart, both parties will slowly learn to understand one and other and will eventually eliminate all sorts of stereotype judgement.

References

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/stereotype-examples.html

Johari Window Model

Introduction of Johari Window Model

The Johari Window model tool used for illustrating and improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. The model can be used to assess and improve a group’s relationship with other groups. It was introduced by American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955.

There are two categories for the model, the area where known to self and the area that is known to others. It further split up into four sections. In the area where known to self, there are Public/Open Area and The Private/ Hidden Area. Under the area that is known to others, it consist of Blind Area and The Unknown Area.

The Public/Open Area is where the information is known and agree by both parties.

The Private/Hidden Area is where the information that others do not know except yourself.

Blind Area is where others know the information beside you.

The Unknown Area is where information are not known by both parties.

I asked two other friends to complete the Johari Window about myself and this is what we came up with.

 

This is an accurate presentation of yourself?

I do not think the Johari Window Model that i did is accurate. Under the column, Things I Don’t Know and Things my friends Know, i feel that some of the attribute i do have it just that when i am listing it the attributes i have, i did not feel that way. This means, some of the information can be inaccurate given by the user. Another issue is that i only get to know my friends for a week, information given will not be accurate due to lack of knowledge of my personality.

Is(Are) there any area(s) that you are surprised from your friend’s perception of you?

Yes, the private/ hidden area where things that my friend do not know and i know. It is empty on both sample. this either mean i hid my attribute well or they are really not familiar with me. Some of the attributes for example Powerful and Adaptable, are things i really do not find myself having. But after going through the model with my friends, they explained the reason to me why i possessed these attribute. It open up a new perspective that make me aware of what i did not know in the beginning .

Explain how this result will be useful for self-awareness and your communication in a team. 

After getting the result from the model, i know how my teammates view me. I am also more aware of how i going portray myself towards them in the future. At the same time, i also get to know them better. Overall, i feel that the Johari Window Model do benefit the team and i believe that after this, we can work well in the team.

Is Shannon and Weaver’s (1954) model of communication complete?

Background of Shannon and Weaver model of communication

Shannon was an American mathematician whereas Weaver was a scientist. The Mathematical theory later came to be known as Shannon Weaver model of communication or “mother of all models.”

The concept behind Shannon and Weaver model of communication.

Shannon and Weaver’s is a model which is designed to understand the communication between the sender and the receiver. It was initially designed to enhance technical communication but was widely used later to represent various types of communication. The model consist of an information source, transmitter, receiver, destination and  noise source. The Sender encodes the message and select the channel. Receiver then decode the message and provide feedback. Noise will interferes with effective communications.

For example:

Sender: Shannon

Receiver: Weaver

Channel: Mobile Phone

Message: Where are you?

Noise: Loud background music

Feedback: I can’t hear you.

Noise come in different forms. External noise is cause by physical noise such as traffic, rain, crowds etc. Physiological is another factor where the receiver may be tired, hungover or having hearing disorder. Psychological may also cause noises as the receiver can be pre-occupied or assume the sender’s message.

Newcomb Model

The main purpose of this theory is to introduce the role of communication in a social relationship (society) and to maintain social equilibrium within the social system. He concentrates on the social purpose of communication, showing all communication as a means of sustaining relationships between people.

The Newcomb’s model works in an A-B-X system

A – Sender

B – Receiver

X – Matter of Concern

The relationship between A and B is like student and teacher, government and public or newspaper and readers. Sender and Receiver may work in a same flow but the same time some factor like “X” may affect their flow of relationship.  “X” it may be third persons, issue, topic or policy.

Is Shannon and Weaver’s (1954) model of communication complete?

Shannon and Weaver’s model of communication is NOT complete, it is one of the simplest model and its general applied in various communication theories. It’s more effective in person-to-person communication than group or mass audience where noise wont be a factor.Communication is not a one way process.  If it’s behaved like that, it will lose its strength. For example: Audience or receiver who listening a radio, reading the books or watching television is a one way communication because absence of feedback.

It is this element of interpretation that makes Newcomb model much more suited in the field of International Relations than Shannon and Weaver model . The added X element (medium for Newcomb model) serves as a way of regulating the communication to help ensure that the interpretation of the Receiver is as intended by the Sender. But the X element is only as useful if one knows what it is.

 

 

 

Introduction

Hello all,

I’m Jasper and I’m 24 this year. I was previously from Ngee Ann Polytechnic studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. Now, i am majoring in Computer Science (Big Data) at SIM! My Hobbies are Basketball, Surfing, Netflix and Traveling.

I enlisted into National Service on 25 May 2015. When through 4 months of Basic Military Training (BMT) in Ulysses Coy.

After BMT, I managed to get into Officer Cadet School (OCS). Halfway during the course, I suffered an injury which stop me from completing the course. However, that did not stop me from achieving my goal of finishing the course. I rejoined the course after 3 months, and completed it on 18th March 2017.

Soon after, I got posted to Infantry Training Institute, Opposing Force (ITI OPFOR) as the Weapon PC. My job there was to act as the enemy while the unit is being evaluated.  Finally, I managed to Operational Ready Date (ORD) on the 18 October 2017.

What made me chose Computer Science?

As I’m interested in coding and quick math, i believe this course would be the best choice for me as i work towards my dream job of being a software developer.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, It’s whether you get up.” — Vince Lambordi