Organizational BETTY LA FEAs

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Graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in finance, and fluent in English and French, she is no other than Beatriz Aurora Pinzón Solano, also known as Betty La Fea. She is a very knowledgeable woman with very impressive curriculum vitae but has an unpleasing physical appearance, which makes her search for a job, matching her education and experience, unsuccessful.

This is not a new issue, and Betty is not the only person who’s suffering from the bad fate of not having a pleasing physique. In fact, many people are enduring the “biasness” of the society regarding one’s look. Reality bites. The cliche “Don’t judge the book by its cover,” has no space in the present society that we have now. Almost everyone is guilty of judging one’s personality through his/her ‘cover’. The discrimination based on appearance is a real existing problem, especially inside organizations. Most of the time, one is assessed through his/her height, weight, and physical characteristics; the competency is just a second matter.

A lot of companies are considering striking physical appearance as an important element that an employee must have. Some does not accommodate applicants who seem to be unpleasing for them. And some employers base the paychecks to their employees’ looks. These ideas seem to be absurd, but it is the reality that many people are facing. This is a cruelty that is made by our existing society.

Such discrimination is a real occurrence with huge effects on the lives of those discriminated against. Discrimination based on the different components of physical appearance including height, weight, and general pleasantness or unpleasantness of appearance results to rewards for those blessed with certain attributes, and penalties for persons failing to measure up to the given standard.

Isn’t it substance more significant than form? Or is it the other way around?

Lights, Camera, Action!

New social media have taken the globe by storm, and started to spread out like virus on earth. They have already tapped a lot of fields in this world. There are marketing, public relations, advertising, social networking, and job hunting and recruitment. And let’s talk in particular the last field.

Remember how Elle Woods of Legally Blonde talked about her self, her abilities and skills, to be able to enter Harvard University, and to be able to be one of its law students? Aside from written documents, Elle sent them a video showing and telling the university what she got. Setting aside the fact that she was only wearing a two-piece swimsuit, this video indeed helped her to enter the university. And this video helped the university in considering her as one of the qualifying students of law.

Let’s not blab about Elle Wood’s absurdity in the film, but the benefits of making a video to stand as one’s resume, and putting it on the context of job hunting and job recruitment. And let’s call this one as video resume.

Before when one is looking and applying for a job, he/she would prepare his/her bio-data; a few years after he/she would prepare his/her resume. But as the world changes, and as new social media rise, these bio-data and resumes are starting to be out of place; thus, the birth of video resume in job hunting and recruitment.

The rapid growth of the number of videos online, paired by the dominance of digital cameras and other video recorders, has created the stage for birth of video resume. According to Alison Doyle of About.com, a video resume or vidresume is “a short video created by a candidate for employment that describes the individual’s skills and qualifications and is typically used to supplement a traditional resume.” It reinforces an applicant’s curriculum vitae, and at the same time builds up one’s skills and abilities. It can highlight one’s personality and can talk about can talk about an applicant’s qualities more than a paper or a traditional resume can do because it offers more dimensions not only to the job hunters, but also to the employees.

In a country like the Philippines, which is suffering from unemployment and underemployment, a video resume can be a helpful medium for job seekers and applicants to advance his or her self over others. Since hunting and acquiring a job seems to be a big competition now in the country, it will be beneficial for the Filipino applicants to have a medium that will aid them in the current situation of employment. Also, this will help them cope with what’s happening on the online world.

So, the question is this… Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?

Toothpaste and Cake Issue

One of the subjects in Organizational Communication is OrCom 145 or Psychology of language. I remember the time when the instructor asked us on how our language represents us. I was sitting the whole period and thinking how I will answer the question. Since I didn’t have the opportunity to share my response to the class because I still had nothing to share up to the last minute, maybe it is now my chance to discuss my late reaction.

Honestly, her question is really hard for me to answer. It is not simply like saying my language represents my nationality (Filipino), as if I am a very nationalistic person. I think it is more than that. The answer is very complex, like how complex language is. So, let us just put it this way; let me first know something about me that I can relate to the language I’m using, and use it to answer the very challenging question.

I will start on my known and unknown part. To be able to discuss it better, let me use the concept of Johari’s Window. This window is used to know one’s self. It has four parts: (1) known to you and known to others, (2) known to you but unknown to others, (3) unknown to you but known to others, and (4) unknown to you and unknown to others. These things make the concept of self complex. It’s like the idea of me having a so-called self which I am not really familiar with. Like myself, there are something in the language I am using which I am aware of, and, also, not aware of. With this aspect, I can say that my language represents me as an individual with known and unknown sense of self.

The way people and things change and grow is also another thing that will help me relate myself to language I’m using. Like me, my language grows and is open to changes. As I grow my language grows. As I change, my language changes. I just can’t remember, or let me just say don’t know, how many words were added to my vocabulary since I was younger up to now. Also, like me, who is open in learning other language or vernaculars, my language is open to use or borrow some words from other language. Who knows that Filipino and English can be use together resulting to the so-called “Taglish” (which when you use with maarteng sound will make you “conio”)? Thus, I can say that my language represents me as an individual in state of flux.

I’m going to leave these lines to end my attempt of answering the challenging question. Pilipino ako kaya mas madalas kong gamit ang Filipino o mas kilala bilang Tagalog. Kaya lang may mga bagay lang talaga na di ko alam tungkol dito, gaya ng di ko pagkaalam sa ibig sabihin ng salipawpaw at salumpuwit, at kung bakit walang tagalog ang toothpaste at cake. Ayan tuloy, I’m sad na.

No more Basha! It’s Marie’s turn with Popoy!

Marie’s crush is Popoy. She wants to get his attention and know everything about him as much as possible. She likes the guy so much. The following are her ways of catching Popoy’s interest.

One day, she got a Facebook account hoping that she could get in touch with him through this. Sadly, Popoy’s in Friendster and a super-fan of it. She’s upset.

The next day, she created a Yahoo account to send him an email and to chat with him. Unfortunately, he’s in his Gmail account and having conversations with friends and classmates.

The next next day, early in the morning, she heard that her crush is into blogging. She turned her laptop on and signed up in WordPress. To her dismay, she found out that afternoon that he’s in Blogspot.

The following days got worse than before. She created a video and uploaded it in YouTube, but he’s never been in that site. He’s an Imeem buddy. Then she made a Twitter, planning to follow him, but he doesn’t have a Twitter account. She uploaded her pictures in Flickr wishing that she might hook Popoy by her charming poses, but he’s using Photobucket for photo-sharing.

Finally, tears flowed; she’s about to give up. “Maybe Popoy is not for me. Maybe he’s for Basha afterall.” Poor Marie! She was about to tell Popoy these lines: “Ako na lang, Poy. Ako naman kasi. Ako na lang.” *cry cry*

Few weeks later, though she wanted to mend her almost broken heart, she went to her OrCom 152 class. And this day turned out to be the start of bringing back the color of her life that she thought was already doomed. Yay! And the conversation prism of Brian Solis below is the key.

Marie realized that:

• Not all people use Facebook.Some of them use Friendster, Multiply, Twitter, Plurk, or what have you.

• Not all people have Yahoomail account. Some of them have Gmail account or MSN.

• Not all people use WordPress. Some of them use Blogspot.

• Not all people watch and listen to videos in Youtube. Some of them do that in Imeem.

(Like “her” Popoy.)

Basically, she learned that people are diverse in the world of Internet and in the world of new social media. They are diverse as how cultures across the world are. The question is in what way individuals, organizations or companies will tap these people conversing in different communities since people, customers or consumers are not hanging in the same place.

She found out that organizations must do a lot of listening. They must hang out with their consumers, and humanize their brand. They must do an engagement plan or strategy, and customize their messages based on who they are talking to. And, they must also know where their stakeholders are.

So, Marie’s heart, with medicine strips and some stitches, has started to enlighten.

As of the moment, she is hanging out with Popoy—knowing more about her beloved crush and engaging him in her strategy (I won’t tell. Guess what it is!). She is using her Organizational Communication “learnings” as her charm in carrying out her plans.

For her, it is a “One More Chance” moment, a chance of her “lovelifetime” that she won’t let pass.

Wanna bet what will happen?

SEX TRIP!!! I know you like it! ;)

Read and Win a Prize!

It’s been ages since my last post! Almost two months! -_-v

But now that I have the time and the will to write again, let me start for another entry. 🙂

For this post, I like you guys to compare and contrast the following videos in the context of communication evolution:

Number 1:

And Number 2:

What can you say?

Video number 1 is an audio-visual presentation made for our OrCom 143 class, (I was in 3^rd year that time.) and the other one is a video blog created and conceptualized last July, 2009.  Both are uploaded in YouTube.But don’t dwell on the dates on when they are made. Look at the two videos with the concept of communication evolution in mind.

Here are some challenging questions that might be helpful to you in comparing and contrasting the two videos:

• In which video do you appreciate more the evolution of communication?
• What made the first video better than the other, and vice versa?
• Are the two videos comparable? Or are they contrasting?

This entry seeks opinion and participation from you. You don’t necessarily have to answer the questions above since it’s not a game show with a million peso prize. But whoever leave a comment with the best content will get a hundred peso bill or a hundred peso load as a reward! No kidding! 🙂 🙂 🙂 (I know it’s cheap, but it’s for real! Hahaha) The person with the best comment will be posted on the end of September.

 But it’s not the prize that really matters, right? It is the squeezing of juices from our minds. It is how you make brilliant ideas out of this.

Still, May the best commentator win! :))

RP II: Feeling Advocate

I really couldn’t think of the best way to start this reflection post, but I know that as I’ve written those first few words, I actually started it. But let’s not dwell on how I shall begin this blog entry. Let me share some insights and “realizations” that I surprisingly picked up from the 9^th chapter of Wikinomics.

Coming together. It is truly amazing how new social media can actually make different people from different places work and share outlooks together. I admire those corporations or companies which use these media in knowing and understanding their customers more, benefiting both organizations and their consumers. Aside from that, the use of new media empowers the employees. They can now participate and contribute in decision-making, and actually can initiate change and innovation.

See how new social media can make geographically dispersed people come together!

New Social Media. I won’t enumerate the different new media that are now used by many people for I may be mistaken, or for I may miss some. I just want to share this insight that I grasped from the reading. Let us be smart on how to use these media, and let us use them while they are giving a lot of opportunities for they won’t be forever “in” or cool for everyone. They won’t be always beneficial and won’t be forever new. Let us learn to use the most beneficial and most effective medium/media for our needs and businesses, and make the best out of it.

Shifting of Environment. I know that change is cannot be achieved in just a snap of a finger, but isn’t it great to know that we are also changing as everyone and everything around us changes?

For corporations, you must learn to improve and innovate. Go and get your self out of the four corners of the super-old bureaucracy, and don’t be afraid to try the new trend and use it in your advantage. I’m not saying that being in a classical way is wrong. It is just that you must somehow learn to cope with what’s really happening around.

For people (especially to those who are scared to face the new generation), give your selves a break! Don’t let your selves be losers. Learn and play the game. The world has so many things to offer, and new social media are giving you many ways to explore and benefit from these things.

Now, to the end this entry, I’m giving you a period.

Unfinished Fairy Tale

            Once upon a time in a land far far away, there lived a mean princess and her insane mom who used to talk about silly things under the sun. One day while the princess was eating her mom approached her. (The following lines are written in Filipino for the “humor” thing purpose.) 

            Mom: Mag-business ka na lang kaya pag punta mo ng Europe.

            Princess: Ano namang business?

            Mom: Yung unique, yung kakaiba!

            Princess: Ano nga yung unique at kakaiba?! *slightly irritated*

            Mom: Magtinda ka kaya ng tricycle dun? Tutal wala namang ganun sa kanila, papatok yun!

            Princess: Eh? *looked mom’s eyes intently *

            Mom: Ayos naman yun ha! Biruin mo ikaw magpapauso nun doon. Pilipinong-pilipino, wala kang kakompetensya dun!

            Princess: Sige pa ma, konti na lang mapapaniwala mo na ko. Konti na lang talaga. Teka nga, umamin nga kayo, kelan pa kayo natutong magdrugs??!!!

             These lines occupied my mind last July 4, 2009 when Sir Barry discussed about thinking and acting globally. I suddenly realized that my mom wasn’t in drugs when she was talking about selling tricycle in Europe (my bad). She had a point after all. Anyway, instead of talking about how my mom and I talk when we’re together, let’s just talk about last class meeting’s activities.

 Sad to say I can’t remember everything that happened that day because of that silly conversation with my mom which kept bugging me the entire class session. And aside from that, my uber-disappointment for losing in the quiz-with-a-twist took my enthusiasm away (I don’t like to talk about this thing). Or maybe I’m just so lazy to type for I just had a manicure few minutes ago. (I’m super afraid that my fierce-red nails will be ruined.) But here’s the thing! I learned a lot of changes in the market place, especially on the products before (which actually brought me to think of that tricycle-thing). Let’s just make it easy and short for our sakes.

 Before, the making of products was in a linear mode. Everything would start from the Organization going to the supply chain (business partners) until it became a finished product and went to the customers or consumers. Control over how the product will be or will look like was with the company or the organization. But as the old cliché says, “The only permanent thing in this world is change.” No wonder that this linear mode of the products before transformed into something collaborative.

With the new model of production, the organization is not the only one who has a say with how the product should be. Now, different stakeholders also take their part and give their say on how the finish product will look like. This turns to be possible because of mass collaboration, which helps a lot of companies innovate and change for betterment.

For now, let me think about the tricycle business in Europe first, and just wait for the update. I’m still figuring out how this mass collaboration will help this tricycle thing be known across the globe.

BIS=My Life?!

Have you imagined your self studying an evolution of something? looking back from where it started and to where it is now? Whoa! I always had this irritating feeling when i had to do so. For me, it was like digging the soil and studying every material, every particle, every molecule, every atom, or what have you, from the most bottom of it until you reach the top soil. Grrrr! Not really a nice thing for me.

But who ever thought that learning how comm evolve can be fun and easy? Believe it or not, we tackled communication evolution just through a three-letter model, BIS. B for Broadcast, I for Interactive, and Social Media. It’s a lot more easier than knowing how my brother evolved from a baby boy to an arrogant and paranoid king of the world!

Anyway, let’s just blab about about this BIS that rocked the world of OrCom 152 last Saturday, June 27, 2009, instead of that weirdo.

“We tell you.” This Broadcast model is more likely me in our house before, the time when my mom was in Dubai. It’s like, “Listen to me, and buy my stories. Don’t react, and please, don’t contradict. There’s no other world but my world. I didn’t need anyone’s argument. It’s like I will tell you my words, and that’s it! And people (my brothers) in our house just listened, and like what i want, they bought my stories. You get the point?

This model represents one-way communication and people’s passiveness.

“Tell us what you think of what we tell.” This is what Interactive model is all about. I will relate this to the first year stay of my mom in the house when she came back. “Listen to me, and buy my stories. And, oh, you have the chance to comment afterwards!” This time a commentator came. She would say her points, and I would pretend to listen. When her critics were good. She’s lucky, I would consider them. But if not, I would just smile and say “Got it mom. Thanks!”

You see? She came and stood up to say her comments but I never really accepted everything. I filtered them. And that’s what Interactive model is all about. (Please, don’t think that I’m mean or evil. Please. Please. I’m a changed person now, you know!)

“Tell each other.” I know you’re thinking now on how I am going to relate this Social Media model to my self. Well, sad to say (Just Kidding!) my mom got her power. And she’s absolutely loving it. She, now, has really say to whatever I will tell. And not only her, but my brothers as well. Everyone of us tell our own stories to each other, and everyone can react and comment. Now, there are various perspectives roaming around the house. And everyone of us make sense of the world by our collective experiences.

Hope, I make a good sense in relating these models to my experiences. If not, please tell me and correct me. I’m open to any comments and suggestions.

Well, well, well. I’m glad to know this BIS model. I am glad we don’t have to look back to the very first communication model, and study each changes that happened. The BIS creator is really great. Another bang!

RP I: Unlocking the Lock

“…nothing went wrong. But things did change.”

Before, Internet is just merely a technological leap for me. It’s just all about techie thing, a hybridization of all the creative and “naughty” thoughts of its proponents. A change, indeed! But I never thought of its connection to the heart of communication. I never gave a damn to their link for I was the king of “don’t care” person. (Though I think I’m still a bit of that.)

And here’s Internet Apocalypso by Christopher Locke, unlocking the connection of net not only to one person but also to businesses and to communication. While reading the text, I remembered the social networks that I developed through net, specifically through friendster, multiply, facebook, and yahoo. Before, I thought that all these stuff are just for fun, but I started to understand their purpose through the said reading.

Everything is just not about my self. I write because I want someone to read. I post shout outs and thoughts because I want someone to react. I upload pictures and videos to get comments. And all is not because I do want attention from my self, but because I want attention and reaction from others. I am inviting participation and engagement from other people of different places, with different perspectives. I am seeking for conversation.

Internet is like a place where these things can be done, where different thoughts can meet. This is a new social media that can cater this kind of interaction. I think this is something that we have to use in a more meaningful way than in a selfish act. (I’m not pertaining to those businessmen whose only thoughts are profit, those who think of us as merely consumers of their goods. I am really not, or maybe I am.)

Things will go wrong if we opt to be wrong. I think we should know how to use these changes that happening around us for our betterment. I love to say that Internet is ours. And let us all explore and use it as who we are and not as somebody else’s representation.

I am not seeking for revolution and bloodlust here. To revolt is not what Locke’s idea, I guess. J It’s all about teaching us how to free ourselves from passiveness, and from the monotonous routine that the market created for us (another guess).

And you! Yes, you! Voice out and be heard. Internet has a lot of offers for us to have genuine conversation. We are in the right place and in the right time. Let us not be powerless with the things that we understand more than the others. It’s up to you to decide.

React!

Now!