Reference no: EM131316669

Aim

The stated aims of this course are:

1. To provide students with an advanced understanding of the forms and methods of information communications technology, and with the knowledge of how information is processed and transmitted through electronic means.

2. To develop students' knowledge, skills and ability to communicate effectively, knowledgeably and efficiently by means of technological resources; and to assist them to identify those communication styles and technology based processes that will best promote optimum communication in business and entrepreneurial contexts.

3. To assist students to develop a personal communication style most suited to the innovative and entrepreneurial organisation, in particular the new and developing innovative enterprise.

ASSESSMENT 1

Essay - Communicating using technology

1,500 to 2,000 words

1. Define and describe the different forms and types of communication, and evaluate the various technological means by which communication is best conducted.

2. Understand the key elements of communication, and demonstrate how technology may assist in removing the barriers to effective communication.

4. Critically evaluate a wide range of communication skills and technologies that have a particular significance and applicability to new businesses and innovations.

Instructions:

Answers are to be in essay style, with writing formed in full sentences and paragraphs. Sub-headings are acceptable. Bullet points and brief short answers will not be considered for marking.

In-text referencing and reference list need to adhere to the APA referencing guidelines, which are on the main PGDipBE Moodle page.

Requirement:

The Steadfast Solar Company is a new business that imports solar panels and systems from manufacturers in China and India. It then assembles, sells and distributes these products direct to consumers.

The business was started by young immigrants to NZ who used family contacts at the main manufacturers in China and India. The business has grown significantly. It now purchases from many other manufacturers, employs a growing number of New Zealand staff, has opened retail branches throughout NZ and anticipates even more sales increases.

The company's customer base started out being younger, "greenie" home owners but now many customers are middle aged home owners as they set up homes to live in after retirement. The increase in business has prompted Steadfast Solar to set up an office in Singapore. It set this up to manage relations with its Chinese and Indian manufacturers, and to consolidate its shipping to New Zealand, ready for distribution.

Critically evaluate a range of communication skills and technologies that can be used to facilitate communication and overcome barriers within the Steadfast Solar Company as well as between the company and its manufacturers and customers.

Address the following points in your essay:

- Identify and describe the main barriers to communication within Steadfast Solar that are likely to exist between staff who are based in different areas and countries.

- Identify and critically evaluate the communication skills that the staff will need to utilise in order to overcome these barriers.

- Identify three technological communication tools that could be used in relation to communication for staff working in the different Steadfast Solar offices.

- Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of each of your three chosen technological communication tools, including how these technologies may assist in creating or removing barriers to effective communication.

ASSESSMENT

2. Case study - communications strategy

Learning outcomes assessed:

1. Define and describe the different forms and types of communication, and evaluate the various technological means by which communication is best conducted (in part).

3. Define the importance of interpersonal and organisational communication in business and entrepreneurial settings.

5. Develop a high-level technology based communications strategy for a small to medium business enterprise.

Instructions:

Answers are to be in report style, with writing formed in full sentences and paragraphs. Headings and sub- headings are recommended. Bullet points and brief short answers will not be considered for marking.

Any in-text referencing and your reference list need to adhere to the APA referencing guidelines, which are on the Moodle page for this course.

Requirement: read the following case study and answer the questions below.

Communication at Kelling Park.

Kelling Park is a holiday park located in a prime beauty spot in rural New Zealand, comprising cabins, caravan and camping areas. It also has on site, a swimming pool, fitness centre, cycle trails and an adventure playground. It runs its own creche service for under 5s and a children's club for under 10s and is known throughout the region for putting on family-friendly festivals. It is owned by Blue Sky Leisure, which also owns and manages a portfolio of other sites spread across other regions of the country.

Kelling Park has recently been in the local media due to the number of customer complaints this summer, including several unsatisfied customers who left early and wrote to head office asking for a full refund. The main issues were that bookings were taken over the phone and there were several incidences of double booking, customer queries and complaints were not dealt with, parents were particularly frustrated as the creche service was restricted on a first come first served basis and parents were told to simply turn up to see if there were spaces.

In the words of one customer, 'there was a sense of total chaos in the main office and no-one seemed to know who to go to for anything, we were never told anything and so consequently, nothing ever got resolved.' Another customer said he had received no booking confirmation or any other information from Kelling Park from when he had booked 4 months earlier. In fact, they didn't even seem to have his contact details on their records.

The complaints culminated in a final blow for the Park when a ten year old girl fell from the playground, sustained a neck injury and had to wait over two hours for an ambulance. In fact, the ambulance should have taken 40 minutes to reach her, but first of all, the first aider on site could not be found, and then the family were told an ambulance had been called when in fact it hadn't.

Residents living in the local community also complained after the Park hosted a mini music festival, which resulted in hundreds of young people driving to the rural area, and according to local residents, 'blocking our driveways, dumping their rubbish everywhere and keeping us awake 'til 2am'.

After the disastrous summer, several members of staff resigned and Blue Sky Leisure called an all-staff meeting to decide what to do. At the meeting, two administrative staff had a stand-up row as one claimed her colleague had phoned her and said, 'I've had three complaints from customers already this morning. You need to get in here now and sort this mess out. Jeff (the Managing Director) has already said your job is on the line.' During the meeting, some operational staff said they felt as if they were bullied by the managers, and had no say in what to do. Other operational staff sat silent and did not say a word; this included the two new cleaning staff who had both come over from India to study at NMIT and were working at Kelling Park in their summer holiday.

You have been called in by the Senior Management Team of Blue Sky Leisure as a consultant for Angel Management Consultancy. Your task is to produce a report detailing the communication issues that arise out of the situation that is described, and the measures you recommend to overcome them. Your report will include the following;

Section 1

- Identify and describe the current communication issues for the organisation. Consider all stakeholder groups.

- Outline to the Senior Management Team the importance of interpersonal communication and how it may overcome some of the issues.

- Outline to the Senior Management Team the importance of organisational communication, including information flow and how it may overcome some of the issues.

- Identify which forms of technology you would recommend Kelling Park use and why.

Section 2

Using the communications strategy framework you are given in class, focus on the mini music festival that will kick-start next year's season and develop a communications strategy for Kelling Park for this event. Include; objectives, stakeholders, messages, channels and evaluation.