COM 230 Lesson 11 - Brittany Larson by Brittany Larson

Step 1: Identify & Define The Problem

brittanyx1144 — 2016-06-27 03:24:27 UTC

Waking Up, Inc. is a company looking to reduce their number of face-to-face meetings in order to maximize productivity. Reducing the number of face-to-face meetings can only be done by replacing them with virtual meetings. A virtual meeting can be done on nearly any online platform. Technology has advanced and provided dozens of ways to communicate with people. Because of the options available, it leaves a decision to be made as far as which would be the best alternative to the face-to-face meetings that Waking Up, Inc. needs.

Step 2: Analyze The Problem

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-16 21:30:45 UTC

The problem of face-to-face meetings being too much of a hassle has been around for a short period of time. The employees of Waking Up, Inc. have simply been bogged down by the number of meetings required on a weekly basis. The effects of this problem can be as small as an inconvenience for employees to as important as the decline in overall production. Replacing face-to-face meetings with one of the many forms of social media as a virtual meeting is one of the only methods available to replace the existing face-to-face meetings. Some obstacles may be preventing the group from achieving the goal, these include finding an alternative for face-to-face meetings, and the reason for choosing so.

Step 3: Generate Several Possible Solutions

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-16 21:31:09 UTC

Facebook

Skype

Meetup.com

YouTube

Friendsies.com

Twitter
Bigfriendo.com

LiveJournal

Second Life

Step 4: Evaluate Options & Select The Best Solution

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-16 21:31:32 UTC

Using the criteria listed in Step 2, the possible solutions have been narrowed down to the following:

-Facebook
-Skype

Step 5: Test & Implement The Solution

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-16 21:32:07 UTC

Waking Up, Inc. would be better off using Facebook because of its versatility for several different types of conversation. Though Skype can be used extremely well for video chat, some asynchronous features on Facebook could be extremely useful in implementing the meetings for employees. One day they could do a video chat using Facebook, or another day they could do a group instant message. For the remainder of the time, the group can use a group page and utilize the post options to share links, articles, pictures, videos, powerpoints, documents, etc. Overall, the team of Waking Up, Inc. can use Facebook in order to maximize productivity and utilize their time better through this powerful virtual meeting place.

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-16 23:05:07 UTC

Introduction:

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 01:49:51 UTC

My name is Brittany Larson, and I am gathering research in order to determine the best alternative for the company, Waking Up, Inc.'s face-to-face meetings. Using the Five Steps of Reflective Thinking, I was able to come to a conclusion.

Criteria For An Acceptable Solution

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 01:54:09 UTC

- the media should be capable of both synchronous and asynchronous communication
- the media should have the ability to communicate with not only text but also pictures
- the media should be simple to navigate
- the media should be agreeable upon employees
- the media should be accessible on a laptop, phone, and/or tablet
- the media should be that which is familiar to all employees

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Journalist's Six Questions

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 02:33:48 UTC

Who - Waking Up, Inc.
What - The company needs to reduce the amount of face-to-face meetings that take place on a weekly basis.
When - The problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible though the issue has only just been brought to light.
Where - Currently the meetings take place in person, but need to change to virtual reality.
Why - The current meetings are bogging down employees, causing great inconvenience to their weekly schedules.
How - Replacing the face-to-face meetings can only be done through virtual meetings, such as a social media platform.

Force-Field Analysis

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 02:43:15 UTC

Driving Forces --> <--- Restraining Forces

increase productivity of employees --> <-- reduction of in-person contact
allows for better sharing of ideas --> <-- prevents group from forming stronger relationships
creates a more comfortable space --> <-- increased chance of conflict
reduces amount of overall effort --> <-- discourages collaboration
greatly reduces amount of costs --> <-- may cause poor leadership

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Pros/Cons of Potential Solutions

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 03:13:51 UTC

Pros Cons

Facebook - ability to make groups, posts, group chats in messenger - group video meetings may be difficult to manage
- share video, pictures, gifs, etc. on messenger or even live - cannot share screen videos for powerpoints, etc.
chat with webcams/front cameras
- available on all platforms
- free and easily accessed (most people have an account)
- synchronous and asynchronous type communication
- posts/messages/groups can be set to private

Skype - ability to video chat with several people at once - cannot make posts or events
- ability to share screens in video form with several people at once
- share pictures and text along with video chat group
- free and easily accessible
- available on all platforms
- groups can be set to private

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 05:21:38 UTC

Flow Chart of Waking Up, Inc. Using Facebook

brittanyx1144 — 2016-07-18 05:26:17 UTC

(Open chart in full to view)