Hello again,

Getting this blog to post has stressed me out more than anything else in the past two days. Having this issue created problems for me today in the workplace in which people could see and tell that I was flustered. It got me to thinking about the different communication concepts that I have learned during my schooling here at Arizona State. I learned that non-verbal communication was big in the workplace, and something that you have to be conscious of. For example, I was on the phone and a co-worker noticed my face and could simply tell that the person on the phone was irritating me. The co-worker happened to be my boss's assistant which was not good in the sense that she might have felt that I did not want to be there and particularily on the phone. We deal with communication issues all day and every day in the workplace and I need to be more aware of that. I need to learn that things that have occurred outside the workplace do not need to brought in, as it is not fair to everyone else. Having said all of this, the marketing strategies I have learned have had a positive impact on me thus far. Since our company is currently going through a marketing/advertising change I am able to give a little imput without sounding completely ridiculous. The market growth rate is effecting our ideas in terms of determining if any money can be made in the market at that specific time. The market profitibality is also key in determining how we want to change our catelog situation. We are currently looking to change from catelogs to USB ports. The USB ports are less expensive to make, but the current economy has given us reason to think that everyone else is trying to save money as well. I have enjoyed the challenges brought on by this and am learning new information everyday.

Working in an interdisciplinary workplace

Hello again,

For the students that go through the BIS program the terms multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary are clearly defined and understood. When I think about where I am working for my internship the word interdisciplinary stands out to me. Seeing as though the company is smaller than most, I have had the advantage to meet all the employees at this particular office and see what happens during their average day. When working around the office you notice that many disciplines are being used and being brought together to get things done. The company works successfully when interdisciplinary actions take place. For example, the company is working on a new marketing scheme to try and save a little money in these bad economic times. The current catalogs that the company sends out has become thought to be too expensive and nothing but a dust collector on someones desk. The employees came together through communication and marketing ideas to create an idea that would better serve our company and potential clients. Different groups within the company are brought together despite what discipline that might have a specialty in. It has helped me to listen to what goes on in meetings to see how my disciplines are presented, if at all. You will be amazed the communication aspects that I gather while listening to people or looking for that matter. I can tell who has an idea and whether or not someone thought it was a good idea just by the look on their face. This internship has been a great experience for me so far, as well as really fun.

A little about me!

Hi,

My name is Hunter Blair and I am studying business and communications in the BIS program. I chose these two fields because I come from a very business oriented family and enjoy being around people in the workplace. The site of my applied study is located in Phoenix, with offices in Honolulu, Los Angeles, El Paso, Seattle, San Diego, and Sacramento. There are many things I hope to learn from my applied study site. I want to gain confidence in meeting with people face to face in the case that he or she may be a potential client. I hope to learn about inside and outside sales and what it takes to be a successful sales person. Developing my marketing skills is what interests the most, however, because marketing is an area that I wish to get into at some point in the future. Meeting with contractors and fellow co-workers will allow me to strengthen my communication skills as well. I have accomplished responsibilites of keeping in contact with potential clients as well as keeping the employees up to date on current events that may be coming up. Some future goals that I have for myself are to be doing work with this company or joining my uncle's company back in Dallas, Texas. My uncle owns several Aaron's furniture and appliance stores in the greater Dallas area, and wants me to come learn the business and perhaps take over a couple when I learn a little more. The applied study site that I am working at right now is definately something that I would be interested in working for after graduation if they will have me. As everyone knows the economy is going to determine whether or not I will be able to stay on board, and since it is a smaller company it is tough for them to add people and throw out the kind of money that I feel like I should make.