Lesson 11 Research Assignment by https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8 COM230 - # 37960 en-us 2016-12-13 05:21:47 UTC 2017-05-17 10:58:35 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Watchclock.png Waking Up Inc. Search for Virtual Meeting Solutions g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143524950 The company Waking Up Inc. has a goal to minimize face to face meetings. Like most companies, meetings are necessary but can be time consuming. Technology now offers several tools for communicating in a virtual environment and other methods not “face-to-face”. The best application will optimize virtual communication. Two resources worth considering are LinkedIn and Second Life. 

]]> 2016-12-14 06:19:51 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143524950 LinkedIn and Second Life g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525046 The interesting aspect about the two is the founding atmosphere and possibilities both offer. LinkedIn has widely become an industry standard in professional social media to network among professionals, friends, and new opportunities. Second Life has a completely different fell to it. It started out with a game-like approach. It has evolved into a platform with seemingly few limits. 

]]> 2016-12-14 06:21:55 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525046 Reflective Thinking to a Working Solution g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525077 The application of reflective thinking will help determine which application may suit the needs of the company. This process uses 5 steps. 

]]> 2016-12-14 06:23:10 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525077 Step One: Identify and define the problem. g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525117 There is consensus by the staff that face to face meetings are consuming too much time. An obstacle is not having a tool in place which can allow for communication with the same effectiveness in a virtual setting. The parameters are not completely clear on what features the group is looking for with a social application. Do the meetings need to be live? Can a forum approach be used? Are video conference capabilities going to be used? The virtual parameters must be defined in order for this approach to be successful.

How much this tool will replace live contact carries a factor. What level of multimedia in both audio and visual may limit possibilities in certain cases. It could also create new possibilities the group may benefit from. Overall, the group feels addressing this issue is important. This clarifies the point that not taking action could inevitably harm the company.

The Is/Is Not Analysis is a technique the staff will take the better identify the scope of the problem. In this case excessive amounts of time being wasted on meetings. A virtual meeting tool could increase productivity. At Waking Up Inc. this mean better service to clients. The team must determine the signs of meetings starting to waste resources. The frequency of the meetings will have a direct effect on the level of potential waste. Where and who the challenge is affecting are the last two elements if the technique.

Similar the Journalist’s Six Questions: Who, What? When? Where? Why? Provides another similar tool in defining the problem. Pareto Chart’s is bar graph data that describes the cause, source, or frequency of a problem.

]]> 2016-12-14 06:24:31 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525117 Step Two: The next step in reflective thinking the group will apply is analysis of the problem. g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525158 How long have meetings been utilizing too many resources? It has already been determined the problem is serious. A reduction in meetings is not seen as the challenge. The group having to meet face to face requires members to always be at the location when travel may be beneficial.

A tool used in the process is force-field analysis. This begins with a clear goal which has been defined as finding a tool to allow the use of virtual meetings. The next step is to create a chart with left and right side separating the restraining forces on driving forces. The group then selects whether to increase or decrease the appropriate force.

The PROMOD Technique may be the best approach. Virtual meetings can also be in the form of an electronic forum. This method is not in real time and provides members to reflect each post and respond in a well thought out manner. The inclusion of media enhances this type of virtual meetings. The PROMOD Techniques beings with individual problem analysis. Forums compliment this process as group exchanges may happen through posts. Provided a time framework is established, members are able to construct resolutions independently as when the project was initiated. The last part of th PROMEOD the group collaborates. The inclusion of virtual meetings in real time allows for integrating solutions.

The group must establish defining criteria at this stage. The features and limitations of each tool. Costs will also factor in.

]]> 2016-12-14 06:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525158 Step Three: The listed all available tools on the market which potentially could meet the goal. g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525207
Although several possibilities exist, the selection was narrowed down to two choices: LinkedIn and Second Life.]]> 2016-12-14 06:27:48 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525207 Step Four: An important part of the reflective thinking process is to evaluate each tool. g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525234 In this case, evaluating the pros and cons of using LinkedIn and Second Life. From there rank the solutions for each. As the evaluation will show, limiting the possibilities by not using both may not be the best approach.]]> 2016-12-14 06:28:34 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525234 Step Five: Test and Implement the Solution. g_fisher https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525265 LinkedIn has slowly began to utilize the benefits of Second Life. As stated earlier Second Life is not a game, but rather a platform. As virtual headsets are making a comeback with better technology, virtual meetings may become more than any could have ever imagined.
A combination of using the two is worth testing. Together both offer benefits that create a synergistic environment. This approach would undergo the same process as the other two.]]> 2016-12-14 06:29:11 UTC https://padlet.com/g_fisher/7wzoh0vkzuz8/wish/143525265