Video Title: Gawker Media - Managers and Communication
Run Time: 7:41
Classroom Application: Instructors will find this video useful in the study of methods of communication. Gawker Media serves as an excellent case study for this topic because, as a virtual company, focus is given to the best way to maintain communication between various parts of the business. Providing students with such knowledge can help them to better understand the challenges related to communication in a virtual organization and the importance of good communication in any organization.
Synopsis
Gawker Media is a virtual organization that creates online blogs on a variety of topics. The video discusses the mix of communications used today, including print media, cutting edge technology, and interpersonal communication skills.
At Gawker Media, there has been a shift in recent years back to in-person communication. Many people feel that modern mobile devices may actually result in a lack of interpersonal communication, causing people to feel disconnected from reality and each other. Gawker Media is using offsite conferences as an opportunity to bring people within the organization together, and the company feels that these in-person communication sessions provide opportunities for brainstorming and inspiration between members of the organization.
Discussion Questions
1.Discuss the pros and cons of a virtual company.
For the pros of a virtual company, students may discuss the ability to work from anywhere and to work a flexible schedule. Students may also mention the ability to cover stories from all parts of the world and to appeal to multiple cultures around the world.
For the cons of a virtual company, students may discuss the communication challenges, include lack of interpersonal communication time. This limits the amount of brainstorming and the sharing of ideas between employees that is able to take place.
2.Do you feel mobile devices have improved communication or hindered communication? Why?
Students may reply that mobile devices have improved communication because you are now able to contact anyone at almost anytime. You can send text messages at times when a phone call would not be possible, and you are able to reach people even when they are away from home or the office.
Students may reply that mobile devices have hindered communication because people talk less often and communicate in person less often. Cell phones are more often used to text than to talk, and this can cause people to feel disconnected from reality and one another.
3.Gawker Media has been shifting the balance on their communication practices in the past two to three years. Discuss this shift. Do you think this is an overall trend occurring in communications?
Even though Gawker Media is a virtual company, in recent years the company has been making a shift from virtual communication to more in-person communication. The company felt that virtual communication was actually hindering their ability to communicate effectively. The company is now hosting off-site retreats that bring employees together at one location. From these meeting, employees are able to share ideas and brainstorm with one another.
Students may reply that this is an overall trend in communications as many companies begin to feel effects stemming from the lack of interpersonal communications within their organizations.
Students may reply that they do not believe this is an overall trend in communications, as working remotely increases in popularity and provides benefits to employees as well as to the environment.
Quiz
1.As discussed in the video, Gawker Media has experienced issues with which of the following barriers to effective communication?
a.filtering
b.selective perception
c.emotions
d.national culture
Answer: b
Explanation: Communication differences may arise from the different languages that individuals use to communicate and the national culture of which they are a part. Gawker Media experienced localization issues within their organization related to language translation and writing toward a specific culture. The company realized these issues were beyond their area of expertise and hired a firm in Japan that was well versed in publication in that country.
2.What does Gawker find to be the biggest drawback of the latest technology in communication in the business world?
a.the fact that there are too many communication choices
b.the training expense associated with the rapidly changing technology
c.the loss of interpersonal relationships
d.the difficulty it creates for virtual offices
Answer: c
Explanation: Gawker recognizes the value of interpersonal relationships as well as the results of brainstorming, idea bouncing, and the greater insights that happen when people interact together.
3.Gawker found when they hire new editors, they need to spend time helping them understand the company image. Why would this be important to Gawker Media?
a.to help editors understand all the communication tools available for use
b.to encourage independence in the communication that is placed online
c.so they would excel at being snarky online
d.so the editors send a consistent message and a positive public image to its readers
Answer: d
Explanation: Gawker wants to ensure the right image is being projected in what its editors communicate. New editors come in not understanding the company image and Gawker needs to help all editors be clear on the message they want projected.
4.Gawker is rediscovering the importance of what form of business communication?
a.one to one interaction
b.online Wiki tools
c.traditional print media
d.teleconferencing
Answer: a
Explanation: Ironically, the company has built its success around modern communication tools, yet they cannot deny the importance of basic one to one interaction.
5.How did Gawker address issues with language translation and cultural differences in doing business in Japan?
a.They hired experts in Japan and relocated them to Gawker’s New York office.
b.They trained a team of employees on Japanese culture and translation.
c.They hired a firm in Japan that was already versed in online media.
d.They hired people in Japan to read the online communication and let Gawker know their opinion.
Answer: c
Explanation: Gawker was able to utilize the talent of an established firm knowledgeable in online media.