Communication Within Unilever Plc

Communication Within Unilever Plc 1.1 Introduction and background of research This research is based on the topic How the channels of communication with employees might be improved in a multinational organization. Unilever PLC is a leading multinational in Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector and it operates over hundred of countries worldwide. Unilever maintains its leading edge by establishing superior standards, latest managerial systems and state of art technology. Most importantly the main focus of Unilever business is to run in profitable manner while complying with statutory and legal requirements in to the maximum extent, in each and every place it operates. Unilever is therefore highly concerns about implementation of latest and successful managerial systems in its production plants in very first time it is possible. Moreover Unilever contributes for developing these systems to match with company requirements and hence most of managerial systems that Unilever implemented are quite superior to others and can easily be differentiated from managerial systems of its competitors. Product Range of Unilever PLC is Home and personnel care, Margarines, fat spreads, Tea and supplementary food products. There are 400 brands and 14 categories of home, personal care and foods products, no other company touches so many peoples lives in so many different ways. Unilevers brand portfolio has made them leaders in every field in which they work. Knorr, Lipton, Dove Omo are some examples for trusted brands. In the Sri Lankan context Unilever could pass by all its competitors and to make its all brands to be the flag ships. At the moment Unilever Sri Lanka Limited owns twenty two global brands which are very much familiar to Sri Lankans as things touching their hearts. Lux, Sunsilk, Signal, Astra and Lifebuoy are some of those popular brands. Brand communication can be a powerful force for behavior change. They have the opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles among our millions of consumers. At the same time they have a duty to market their products responsibly and provide their consumers with clear and simple information about the products they make and how they can fit into a healthy and balanced diet. This depends on effective communication. As a multinational company that has been created a very good brand loyalty in consumers mind they will have to satisfy their customer requirements to the maximum level. In order to do this Unilever will have to adopt according to the changes in customer requirements. As the market grows rapidly new products from competitors are coming to the market frequently. For their survival they will have to produce new ranges of products and to do modifications for their existing products as customer requirements are changing rapidly. To do these kinds of Modifications Companys communication process and communication channels should be of high quality. Quick decisions will have to be made; for that employees will have to send their messages and information faster and get feedback very quickly. For this purpose the company uses many methods (channels). Since this is a global company their companies are scattered all over the world. Therefore there should be a strong communication network within each and every company. Unilever PLC uses strategies and guidelines to give directions for employees. As a result the employees would have a clear idea of what the company is expected from them; they would know what their duties and responsibilities are. Then they will be motivated as their duties are being simplified and specified. This will create efficient employees and would be resulted in productivity increase. Through strategies and guidelines more detailed information can be provided to employees. More and specific information gives subordinates a feeling of confidence and security; lack of information promotes insecurity and a feeling of not being trusted. By doing this they are able to get maximum out of employees. This organization gets ideas and views of employees about the policies and procedures being applied by the company. It would help the top management to identify their weaknesses and take necessary actions to revise their policies and procedures. Unilever has put a great effort to engage wit employees to find out whether they understand the companys vision and role that is being expected from them. The company gets ideas from employees to know what their perception on the changes the company has to do to achieve their ambitions. In 2009 Unilever began an employee engagement programme that will ensure employees are involved in Unilevers vision and plans for the future. Uniliver gather feedback from employees through regular employee engagement surveys. A Global People Survey (GPS) of all Unilever employees is conducted every two to three years. Unilevers management population is also invited to participate in a refined version of the survey GPS-Pulse, which is conducted at six-monthly intervals in the years when GPS is not taking place. The GPS-Pulse conducted in September 200 highlighted that people are proud to work for Unilever and feel good about the culture and business. Results also showed increased confidence in leader ship and the direction that the company is taking. Feedback also has pointed to areas where the company needed to do better and these were actioned by the Unilever Executive and their senior leaders. Through these kinds of strategies employees will feel that theyre being valued and recognized by the company and they will be motivated to work hard to achieve objectives of the company. Being a multinational organization Unilever PLC uses telephones to communicate with their peers. They have the ability to exchange their ideas over the phone and to get the feedback of the other party. Exchanging messages over the phone would fasten the decision making process and it will affect their smooth operation positively. Letters, memos and e-mails are anther methods of communication used by Unilever PLC. Since these are written communication channels they will help employees to get clear idea by reading them. If there is a long list of directions to be given to employees these channels would be more effective as they are in writing. Since everything is in writing it will be easy for them to comply with these requirements. Research Objectives and Hypothesis The completion of this research intends to achieve the following objectives in relation to Unilever PLC. To identify the channels of communication used by the Organization To study how to improve the channels of communication with employees of the organization. To find possible strengths and weaknesses in communication channels currently being used by the company. To suggest methods to avoid current weaknesses in communication channels. Hypothesis Finding how the channels of communication with employees might be improved in a multinational organization is the objective of this research. Accordingly, hypothesis of the research is defined as below, H0: The channels of communication with employees in existence within the organization are adequate. H1: The channels of communication with employees in existence within the organization are not adequate. Research Scope For this research qualitative research techniques have to be used. Since this is a qualitative one it is difficult to set standard guidelines to identify whether the organizations current communication channels are suitable or not. This should be done compared to another organization. It would be difficult to select a suitable benchmark. When carrying out a research feedback should be taken from employees at different levels such as managers and lower level employees in a way that covers the entire organization. Since their ideas are different the results cannot be generalized. LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction to Literature Review The research literature review is based the theories and researches previously done by scholars. These should be applied in the research. Clearly defined research problem and research methods have to be included. Review of Relevant Theories and Literature A typical day for a manager includes doing desk work attending scheduled meetings , placing and receiving telephone calls, reading and answering correspondence , attending unscheduled meetings and tours. Most of these activities involves communication. In fact, managers usually spend more than half of their time communicating in some way. Communication always involves two or more persons , so other behavioral process such as motivation, leadership and group and team processes all come into play. Top executives must handle communication effectively if they are to be true leader. Communication is concerned with the making of meaning and the exchange of understanding. One model of communication considers it from the perspective of transmitting information from one person to another. Communication is very important for all kinds of business organization. According to researches carried out by many authors, communication and communication channels play a very important role in any business organization. Different people have carried out researches relating to communication and efficiency of communication channels. Few examples are as follows; A web article defines a communication channel as, Medium through which a message is transmitted to its intended audience, such as print media or broadcast (electronic) media. As per Quincy Wright, Communication channels can be understood simply as the modes or pathways through which two parties might communicate. As population grows and technology evolves accordingly, these channels of communication change as well. (A Study of War, 1967) According to a web article, In the basic communication process, a sender puts a message in words and transmits it to a receiver who interprets the message. The medium the sender chooses to transmit the message is called the communication channel. There are many communication channels being used by different organizations. Some of these are universally familiar methods where as some of them are specific to certain organizations. Listed below are few methods among them. Letters/ memos/ reports Although there is an increase in the usage of electronic communication, most people seem to receive their messages on paper. This may be because there is no e-mail link between the parties, because a hard copy is required to meet audit or legal requirements or because the recipient feels more comfortable to read from paper than from a screen. Manuals This is also a paper document and the main purpose of this is reference. Fax This method uses public telephones to deliver documents from one place to another. In this method original hard copy is not sent to the receiver. E-mail This is a very efficient method of communicating where whole documents can be sent through internet. This provides many cost advantages when compared to telephones and other paper based communication methods. Intranet This method is also same as the internet method, but this used to deliver documents, images and so on within an organization. In this method also information is much less expensive to distribute and maintain when compared to paper based communication methods. Meetings Two or more people get together and carryout discussions related to different areas to take decisions or to solve problems. This is a verbal communication method where the feedback will be received at the same time. Telephone This is a two way communication method. It is now possible to reach people practically anytime, anywhere over the phone. Video conferencing Under video conferencing system phone lines are used to transmit video and sound between two or more parties. Real time video conferences can be conducted when parties participated to the meeting are in remote locations. Communication is the process of transmitting information from one person to another. Effective communication is the process of sending a message in such a way that the message received is as close in meaning as possible to the message intended. Effective communication is based on the ideas of meaning and consistency of meaning. Meaning is the idea that the individual who initiates the communication exchange wishes to convey. Communication also relates directly to the basic management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Environmental scanning, integrating planning-time horizons, and decision making for example, all necessitate communication. Delegation, coordination, and organization change and development also entail communication. Communication is essential to establishing standards, monitoring performance and taking corrective actions as a part of control. Clearly, then, communication is a pervasive part of virtually all managerial activities. The Communication Process As figure shows, noise can disrupt the communication process at any step. Managers must therefore understand that a conversation in the next office, a fax machine out of paper and the receivers worries may all thwart the managers best attempts to communicate. Sender Firm that sends the message. Message What is being transmitted from sender to receiver. Encoding Message translated into appropriate meaning. This is the process through which the message is symbolized. Channel The medium through which the message is being sent. Decoding Process that translate the message and generating the meaning out of it. Receiver Firm that receives the message. Feedback Process by which the receiver sends his responds to the sender. Interpersonal communication focuses on communication among people at work. Two important forms of interpersonal communication, oral and written, both offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Thus the manager should weigh the pros and cons of each when choosing a medium for communication. Communication channels play a vital role in communication. Messages are conveyed through channels. Telephone, videoconferencing, face-to-face meetings are some examples for verbal communication, where as letters, memos, e-mails, reports are some examples for written communication. Channel should be selected based on the nature of the message or the information that is being transmitted or exchanged. Different channels have their respective strengths and weaknesses. For example, it would be ineffective to give a long list of directions verbally. There are a variety of forms of organizational communication. Vertical communication between superiors and subordinates may flow upwards or downwards. Horizontal communication involves peers and colleagues at the same level in the organization. Organizations also use information systems to manage communication. Electronic communication is likely to have a profound effect on managerial and organizational communicational in the years to come. A great deal of informal communication also occurs in organizations. Communication networks are recurring patterns of communication among members of a group. The grapevine is the informal communication network among people in an organization. Management by wandering around is also a popular informal method of communication. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, body movements, physical contact, gestures and inflection and tone. Managing the communication process necessitates recognizing the barriers to effective communication and understanding how to overcome them. Barriers can be identified at both the individual and organizational levels. Likewise, both individual and organizational skills can be developed to overcome these barriers. Barriers to effective Communication, Individual barriers Conflicting or inconsistent cues Credibility about the subject Reluctance to communicate Poor listening skills Predispositions about the subject Organizational Barriers Semantics Status or power differences Different perceptions Noise Overload Overcoming barriers to communication Individual skills Develop good listening skill Encourage two way communication Be aware of language and meaning Maintain creditability Be sensitive to receivers perspective Be sensitive to senders perspective Organizational skills Follow up Regulate information flows Understand the richness of media (R.W.Griffin, 1997) CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY Research Methods Servey reserch methods to collectting data as investigate the employees and organization need. Research Approach There are few steps to be followed. They are as follows; Problem Identification /Hypothesis Identify the existing channels and channels to be introduced. Research Design and planning This is a Prepare Queries, Prepare the project plan, Prepare the research team work plan, Prepare the Physical resource and conduct with the service providers in communication channel providers wise. Data collection and Data Review and analysis theory After having identified the variables to be studied and operationally defined them a researcher is expected to adopt a suitable method of data collection to measure the variables and their relationships. Following are the methodologies that are used to this research, Questionnaire survey Interviews Observation Case study In the case of a questionnaire based survey or interviews, the unit of analysis is the individual as the individuals included in a sample are expected to provide information by responding to the survey questionnaire or the questions posed to them at the interview. In the observation method there is no single unit of analysis as the researcher is expected to observe real life situations , a process , an event or a series of event over a period of time. The unit of analysis in the case study method could cover a community, an organization, a group or a selected individuals . For instance, one can study the performance of one or more organizations and arrive at meaningful conclusions about the practice of the management. Similarly can study in depth the leadership style of several CEOs and arrive at meaningful conclusions about organizational leaderships. The Questionnaire Survey In this research questionnaire based survey ahs become one of the most widely used techniques of data collection for reasons such as economy , ability to reach a larger sample of the population, saving of time , feasibility to collect data within a predetermined framework and feasibility to process the data using a coding system that could be easily used on computers. Although the questionnaire method has its inherent limitations this method has been adopted to study qualitative aspects such as attitudes and values as well as quantitative aspects of behaviour. The forms of questions included in a questionnaire depends on the kind of information required . Although the forms of the questions may differ in a variety of ways,questions are presented in two basic types; Open ended Structured Open ended questions There are several advantages of open ended questions if the researcher is interested in probing deep into a particular issue such as motivation, job satisfaction, etc. There are some limitations inherent in open ended questions. These include, Difficulty in recording lengthy answers, particularly when the respondents interest is aroused by the researcher through probing, difficulty in asking more than two questions as the answer may take both time as well as space in the questionnaire , and relatively high degree of reliance on the researchers own judgment as to what he thinks is the meaning of the answers given to open ended questions. Despite these limitations open ended questions are used by researcher when the questionnaire based interview method is adopted because an experienced researcher can always exploit the advantages associated with open ended questions. Structured questions This presents the respondent with fixed response alternatives. That is question is worded in such a manner as to induce the respondent to answer by making a choice between two or more alternatives. Advantage-easy to administer in the field because they are pre-coded. Interviews Is a method of collecting data by speaking to someone who is often not known to the researcher previously. Thus it would involve a considerable amount of interpersonal skills on the part of the researcher to establish a relationship with the person being interviewed and elicit the required information within a limited period of time. There are two basic types of interviews, Structured and unstructured. Observation Method Is a technique adopted highly in qualitative research to study natural behaviour. Thus observation involves making judgments about the occurrence of behaviour , its frequency, its duration or its latency. These measures are the basic data used to describe the naturally occurring behaviour or to assess the effects of such behaviour. Therefore the collection of the data through observation has to be done carefully in order to ensure accuracy ,reliability and objectively. There are two broad methods of observing behaviour: participant and non participant. Case study Method This involves studding individual cases in their natural environment over a period of time. One who uses a case study method may adopt different methods of data collection and analysis. These methods may be either qualitative or quantitative or a combination of both. Research Strategy Selecting the most suitable channels to the company. For this purpose number of channels should be investigated. Sampling Techniques Select a sample size based on the company size that covers all areas and all levels of employees. Data Collection Tools High quality data should be collected.. Data Analysis Methods Methods such as pie charts, tables, decision trees, scatter diagrams and so on can be used to analyze data. Presentation of Data Data should be presented using a report and a multimedia presentation. Research Limitations This research is focusing only on the communication channels. Communication process and their reliability is being ignored. Ethical implications of this research If the employees provide wrong information the whole research is misleading. Research Schedule Depending on the nature and activities of the research a time schedule should to be prepared. Conclusions This research is based on the topic How the channels of communication with employees might be improved in a multinational organization. Existing channels and new channels to be introduced should be addressed. For this purpose research topic should be defined and background to the research has to be explained. Theories relevant to the research should be applied under literature review. Finally ethical issues that can be raised during the research should be addressed and the decision is taken based on employees perceptions. The study covers a wide area on the communication channels and based on the evaluation of how to improve the communication of the employees, new communication channels to be introduced must be taken into consideration, the necessary channels that should be improved according to improve the methods of communication in the organization. Under this research based on the multi national company we can learn and can get more knowledge as managers, how to manage effective communication in a multi national company, can feel the employees communication and how to control the whole communication process in a successful and effective manner in the organization.

The Ethical Values of the Music Art of the Ancient Greeks: A Semiotic E

The Ethical Values of the Music Art of the Ancient Greeks: A Semiotic Essay ABSTRACT: Humanity requires for its satisfaction Beauty and Good, that is, love, wisdom, and courage. Put differently, the necessity of order, equilibrium, and harmony. These values ground one of the most elevated planes of the spiritual life: music. Its moral force in the education of the mind, soul, and behavior of the human person has been emphasized by the ancient Greek philosophers. This important message exists as a pattern crossing the centuries. I will try to reveal the unity  ¡Ã‚ ¥ethics ¡Ã‚ ¦/ethike -  ¡Ã‚ ¥music ¡Ã‚ ¦/melos by using the semiotic organon. Suggested by the very remarkable interest taken in the music in the works of the ancient Greek philosophers, our attempt ¡Xa semiotic attempt ¡Xwould succeed in getting us closer to the meaning of what is called "the ethos of music" in the civilization of ancient Greeks. The model of semiosis allows us the investigation of the  ¡Ã‚ ¥sign ¡Ã‚ ¦: music, in its structure, in its act and its functionality which means communication and signification. Thus we can identify  ¡Ã‚ ¥the music-sign ¡Ã‚ ¦ through the expression of the sense ¡Xthe sense that "is conceived as an evidence, as the feeling of comprehension, in a very natural way" (1) ¡Xand through the significance. Thus, our guidance implies  ¡Ã‚ ¥sign ¡Ã‚ ¦,  ¡Ã‚ ¥expression ¡Ã‚ ¦,  ¡Ã‚ ¥signification ¡Ã‚ ¦Ã‚ ¡Xthe triad that brings together the coordinates of semiosis; defined, it, by Charles S.Peirce through the cooperation of the sign, its object and its interpretant (2) and by U.Eco: "the process through which the empirical individuals communicate and the processes of communication become possible thanks to the systems of significance" (3). This semiosis is put in evidence by different semio... ...f. Th.Reinach, La musique grecque, Payot, Paris, 1926; C.Sachs, The Rise of Music in the Ancient World, W.W.Norton & Comp. Inc. New York, 1969. (11) Platon, Gorgias, in Opere, vol. I, Ed. Stiintifica si enciclopedica, Bucuresti, 1975. (12) Th.Reinach, op. cit., p. 158. (13) Aristotel, Politica, Ed. Cultura Nationala, Bucuresti, 1924, p. 201. (14) W.Fleming, Arte si idei, Ed.Meridiane, Bucuresti, 1983, vol. I, p. 104. (15) C.Popescu, in vol. II, Partea 2, Filosofia greaca pina la Platon, Ed.Stiintifica si enciclopedica, Bucuresti, 1979, p. 778. (16) Platon, Republica, in Opere, vol.V, Ed.Stiintifica si enciclopedica, Bucuresti, 1986, p. 190. (17) Diogenes Laertios, Despre vietile si doctrinele filosofilor, Ed.Academiei Romane, Bucuresti, 1963. (18) Ch.Morris, Signs, Language and Behaviour, New York, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1946, p. 118.

Effective and Efficient Methods of Background Investigation and Reference Checking

A great business relies on talented, highly skilled, and hardworking employees that continue target goals and surpass them. Hiring the best employees for a business however, is not a simple task. It requires sifting through the vast workforce and getting only the best of the best for the production results one desires. Intelligent and effective human resources management involves two practices that guarantee the people hired fit their positions to a T: background investigation and reference checking.The three most effective ways of background investigation and reference checking are mail, by telephone, and in person. In the world of human resources management today, there is no universal agreement on what the terms â€Å"background investigation† and â€Å"reference checking† mean (Barada and McLaughlin 1). The term â€Å"background check† may mean the same thing as a â€Å"background investigation,† but there are also some people who interchange the terms with each other. It may be important to distinguish between â€Å"background investigation† and â€Å"reference checking† however, to clarify the following discussion.Background investigation involves verifying the accuracy of the information provided by a job applicant through his resume or cover letter. In a way, it serves as the company’s first defense against potential fraud from job candidates. The person or group assigned the task of background investigation makes sure that a particular job applicant has not deceived the company about the details of his cover letter or resume. As an initial screening device, a background check also serves the purpose of decreasing the number of resumes and cover letters on the prospective employer’s table.Through the careful elimination of job applicants who seem to provide doubtful information on their job applications, the prospective employer can arrive at a shorter list of candidates to consider. These candidat es’ job applications are theoretically more credible than the others that have been discarded. Background investigation though, strictly speaking, is very different from reference checking. The prospective employer doesn’t evaluate a candidate’s past job performance during a background investigation.However, background investigation does involve tasks such as verification of current and former job positions, dates of employment, educational information, and professional licenses claimed, if any (Barada and McLaughlin 4). There are many ways to conduct background investigations, including by phone, through the Internet, and by hiring a background investigation firm. The simplest way would be to phone institutions mentioned by the candidate in his resume. For example, if a candidate claims that he has an MA in business management from a particular university, the investigator could phone that university and verify the information.Background investigation by phone is very effective and efficient because the investigator consumes little time and effort in confirming the details on the resume. The people concerned can also answer any questions the investigator may have regarding the candidate’s background. Another way to conduct background investigation is to use Internet resources to verify the information on the candidate’s resume and cover letter. Many schools today provide information on their websites regarding their students and programs.Some may have downloadable newsletters that the investigator could sift through to confirm the candidate’s information. The investigator may also send an e-mail to people concerned, asking them to reply when it’s most convenient to them. There are companies today who hand over the task of background checking to specialized background investigation firms. These firms help their clients to hire better employees by steering them clear of candidates who lie on their resumes. Indust ry experts estimate that thirty percent of all resumes contain falsifications or misrepresentations.Most of these are located in the education section of a resume. A background investigation firm can help their clients enhance their workplace security, reduce turnover, minimize the risk of employee theft, and provide assurance to the prospective employer’s decision regarding hiring a candidate or not (Falcone 122). Reference checking, in contrast with background investigation, is an objective assessment of an applicant’s past job performance based on information collected from the applicant’s previous employers (Barada and McLauglin 2).Prospective employers usually do reference checks during the final stages of the hiring process to assess applicants on their list of job finalists (Kleiman 163). Among the many uses of reference checking is the collection of clear testimonials that support a prospective employer’s decision to hire an applicant, and the rev elation of factors that the employer and applicant may have not discussed during the interview (Andler and Herbst 157). Reference checking has many other benefits, which will be discussed later.The three most effective ways to conduct reference checks is in person, by telephone, and by mail. Among these, the most effective way to gather information is through a face-to-face discussion with a character reference. This method has several advantages over others. First, you can verify if such a person does exist and that the character didn’t deceivingly asked a friend of his to impersonate a boss for example who he claims to be extremely proud of his work. When conducting a reference check in person, it is a good strategy to talk to the character reference first through the telephone.It may be more appropriate to do this when considering a candidate for an executive position which may have a huge impact on the company’s overall performance. The reference should be asked if he is willing to meet the human resources representative at his office for a brief conversation about his previous employer. The representative could also ask the previous employer if he is willing to talk over lunch or a cup of coffee. The important thing is not to pressure the character reference into agreeing to the meeting. He should agree wholeheartedly about the proposition.It’s also not right to deceive the character reference about the meeting. He should be clearly informed of what the meeting will be all about. During the meeting, he should not be pressured to reveal information on the candidate. It is best to have a ready list of questions to ask the character reference, so the conversation will not venture off to unnecessary topics, consuming the reference’s precious time. While face-to-face reference checks are extremely informative about the job candidate, it is very obvious that it also consumes too much time, energy, and money to execute.A human resourc e representative would have to travel from one place to another just to secure interviews from the character references. He would also have to spend the company’s money during these short conversations. It is therefore not that efficient as a means of checking character references. The most efficient method of reference checking is by telephone. The human resources representative in this case doesn’t have to go anywhere and can remain in the office while checking character references. There are many ways by which a representative can do reference checking by phone.One effective method is called the â€Å"exact-time method† (Andler and Herbst 186). In this method, the representative first calls the character reference asking him what time would be convenient for him to talk a little bit about his previous employee, for example. The representative then establishes an exact-time by which he would call the person again, and then proceeds to call him exactly at the t ime specified. According to experiments done by Andler and Herbst, the exact-time method has an interesting effect on character references.Once the representative tells a person that he’ll be calling again at a particular time, the person somehow is induced to sit all day beside the telephone waiting for the call. In their experiments, some were even annoyed because they waited for the phone to ring at the time specified. This works to the prospective employer’s advantage because interviews with character references are then easier to secure. The possibility of missing them because they’ve just had lunch or went to another place is lessened, making the reference check more efficient.References may also be pleased by the professionalism of the representative through this method since he shows that he is willing to work with their schedules (Andler and Herbst 187). The oldest way of checking references is by mail. Although the method is still being used today by n ew and old companies, it is obvious that checking references by mail is both time-consuming and ineffective as a means of gathering information. There are many difficulties associated with reference checking, including choosing the right people to do the job, dealing with the references themselves, and making sure no law is transgressed in the process.While reference checking is an essential part of the hiring process, some companies that are more administrative than results-oriented avoid reference checks by telephone or in person to cut risks (Andler and Herbst 187). This is not advisable to prospective employers because investing in the most credible candidates is an important way to secure the future of any business. Reference checking through snail mail is virtually futile. Previous employers could be expected to be slow in answering questions that the prospective employer sent them. Many of them many not answer at all.Research shows that the return rate of reference checking b y mail can be as high as fifty-six percent and as low as eighteen percent. One reason for the very low return rate is that previous employers are afraid that their employees may sue them for revealing information in written form (Andler and Herbst 187-188). When checking references by mail, it is advisable that e-mail be used rather than snail mail. This would make the character reference more comfortable with writing the information that he knows because he doesn’t have to write it on a tangible piece of paper.He’ll just type all the necessary bits of information on the e-mail and then send it back. The questionnaire should be written as to assure the character reference that they’re violating no law in the activity and that records of the prospective employee will be competently guarded. Whether by phone, by mail or in person, there are many ways to conduct reference checks. Some companies hire other agencies to do reference checks and background investigation for them. Others though, use their own human resources departments to do the job.One good strategy though is for the manager for whom the job applicant will work to call the previous employers himself. Thus, reference checking is not done through the human resources department or any other agency but directly (Rosenberg 241). It is very advantageous to conduct a reference check through the manager than the human resources department because the candidate will eventually have to answer to the manager when he gets hired, not to the human resources department. The manager will know what questions about job performance to ask the character references.A human resources representative wouldn’t have this kind of knowledge and would likely only be concerned with the legal issues the company might face in conducting the reference check (Rosenberg 241). The manager can talk to character references by phone, mail or in person, but it is most recommended that he talks to them by phone f or efficiency and more results. One problem with any kind of reference check is that the character references may want to withhold or change information regarding a candidate.Former employers are usually reluctant to reveal information, sometimes only providing the candidate’s date of employment and job title. Some of them may also want to reveal only information that’s favorable to the candidate even if it’s not true (Kleiman 164). The reason why previous employers and other character references are usually reluctant to share information on a candidate is because they fear they could be sued for defamation by the candidate.Some candidates do sue their character references, blaming them for their failure to secure a job position. It’s easy to get around this problem though, by clearly explaining to the character reference that he can defend himself against any defamation suits by only revealing information that is factual and objective. He should also onl y share the information to interested parties and not anyone outside of the transaction. The interview must also completely revolve around topics that are job-related and nothing else (Kleiman 164).While there are companies today who skip reference checking because of legal concerns and the belief that references would only reveal information favorable to the candidate, reference checking is still essential as an investment for the company’s future. Reference checking is an effective strategy to predict the future job performance and behavior of a candidate based on the testimonials of other parties that have seen his work before (Kleiman 163). There’s always a risk in hiring people, and reference checking supports a prospective employer’s decision to hire a particular candidate.Conducting a reference check makes a prospective employer feel better about the decision he made regarding hiring a candidate. Reference checks may also reveal information that has not b een revealed before during the candidate’s interview. That information may be helpful or disadvantageous to the candidate’s application, but it is ultimately the prospective employer that benefits from the supplementary information. Information like the candidate is a very good mother, very health conscious, or that she’s pleasant to work with may be revealed during a reference check.The character reference may also give some advice on where the candidate excels best. You can then consider his advice and put him in a position where he’ll likely perform in the best way possible (Andler and Herbst 157). Whatever means you choose to conduct a reference check, it is absolutely necessary to keep the conversation about the job position the candidate is applying for. Common topics addressed during a reference check include the candidate’s dates of employment, job titles he held, rate of pay, attendance, and performance evaluations.The prospective employer may also ask the reference about the candidate’s behavior, what character traits he possesses or if he has any discipline problems. It’s also important to inquire about the candidate’s ability to get along with his colleagues and his general strengths and weaknesses. The prospective employer may also inquire about the candidate’s reason for leaving if the character reference knows anything about it and is willing to share that information. Finally, he could also ask him whether he’s willing to rehire the candidate or not.In our opinion, it is not only prospective and previous employers who should be conscious of the necessity of background investigations and reference checks. All employees and job applicants should also recognize that an efficient and successful company relies on credible, talented and hardworking people to accomplish goals and targets. Instead of being too wary of background investigation and reference checks, and thinking about suing their former employers for revealing information about them, they must accept the fact that both procedures are essential to ensure the health of their industry.They must act on their own and provide only truthful information on their job applications. Background investigation and reference checking will always be essential to the performance of a company. Both of these procedures can now be more efficiently and effectively done with the use of modern resources like the Internet. While employers, both prospective and previous, may continue to confront lawsuits from employees or job applicants, it is necessary to continue the practices of background investigation and reference checking for the benefit of any industry.Without these procedures, industries will perform poorly because of the increased chance of hiring the wrong people for important positions. Whether by phone, by mail, in person, through the Internet or through a private investigation firm, it is advisable for any company to conduct background investigations and reference checks for improved performance in the future. Works Cited Ades, Leslie J. Managing Mavericks: the Art of Sales Management. Dubuqe: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2004. Adler, Lou. Hire with Your Head: Using Performance-Based Hiring to Build Great Teams. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2007.Andler, Edward C. and Herbst, Dara. The Complete Reference Checking Handbook: The Proven (and Legal) Way to Prevent Hiring Mistakes. Atlanta: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn, 2002. Barada, Paul William J. and McLaughlin, Michael. Reference Checking for Everyone: What You Need to Know to Protect yourself, your Business, and your Family. Dubuqe: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2004. Berman, Evan M. , et al. Human Resource Management in Public Service: Paradoxes, Processes, and Problems. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, 2005. Branham, Leigh. Keeping the People who Keep you in Business: 24 Ways to Hang On to your Most Valuable Talent.Atlanta: AMACOM Div American Mgmt A ssn, 2001. Dinteman, Walter Anthony. Zero Defect Hiring: a Quick Guide to the Most Important Decisions Managers Have to Make. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2003. Enos, Darryl D. Performance Improvement: Making it Happen, Second Edition. New York: CRC Press, 2007. Falcone, Paul. The Hiring and Firing Question and Answer Book. Atlanta: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn, 2001. Fischer, Robert J. and Gion Green. Introduction to Society. Saint Louis: Elsevier, 1998. Herman, Susan J. Hiring right: a practical guide. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, 1993. Kleiman, Lawrence.Human Resource Management: A Managerial Tool for Competitive Advantage Third Edition. Daryaganj: Wiley-India, 2003. Loen, Raymond O. Superior Supervision: the 10% Solution. Lanham: Lexington Books, 1994. Marshall, Don R. The Four Elements of Successful Management: Select, Direct, Evaluate, Reward. Atlanta: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn, 1998. Moran, Greg and Patrick Longo. Hire, Fire, and the Walking Dead: Recruiter's Guide to Hiring th e Best. El Monte: Academic Learning Company LLC, 2006. Pritchard, Christopher W. 101 Strategies for Recruiting Success: Where, When, and How to Find the Right People Every Time.Atlanta: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn, 2006. Rosenberg, DeAnne. A Manager’s Guide to Hiring the Best Person for Every Job. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2000. Stone, Florence M. The Manager's Question and Answer Book. Atlanta: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn, 2003. Voros, Sharon and Philippe De Backer. The Road to Ceo: The World's Leading Executive Recruiters Identify the Traits You Need to Make It to the Top. Cincinnati: Adams Media, 2002. Widmann, Nancy C. , et al. I Didn't See It Coming: The Only Book You'll Ever Need to Avoid Being Blindsided in Business. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2007.

Euphemisms for Death

Euphemism is especially frequent, says linguist John Algeo, when we must come face to face with the less happy facts of our existence. Here we consider some of the verbal tranquilizers employed to avoid dealing head-on with death. Euphemisms for Death Despite what you may have heard, people rarely die in hospitals. Unfortunately, some patients do expire there. And according to hospital records, others experience therapeutic misadventures or negative patient-care outcomes. However, such mishaps cant be nearly as disappointing as the patient who has failed to fulfill his wellness potential. Most of us, I imagine, would rather die than let down the side in this fashion. Well, perhaps not die exactly. We might be willing to pass on, like dinner guests who take a pass on dessert. Or depart, as we should after a night out. (Theyre no longer with us, our hosts will say.) Unless, of course, weve had a bit too much to drink, and then we might just end up lost or asleep. But perish the thought. In the article Communication About Death and Dying, Albert Lee Strickland and Lynne Ann DeSpelder describe how one hospital worker tiptoed around the forbidden word. One day, as a medical team was examining a patient, an intern came to the door with information about another patients death. Knowing that the word death was taboo and finding no ready substitute, the intern stood in the doorway and announced, Guess whos not going to shop at Wal-Mart anymore. Soon, this phrase became the standard way for staff members to convey the news that a patient had died.Dying, Death, and Bereavement, ed. by Inge Corless et al. Springer, 2003 Because strong taboos surround the subject of death in our culture, countless synonyms for dying have evolved over the years. Some of those synonyms, such as the gentler terms suggested above, are regarded as euphemisms. They serve as verbal tranquilizers to help us avoid dealing head-on with harsh realities. Our reasons for using euphemisms are varied. We may be motivated by kindness--or at least politeness. For example, when speaking of the deceased at a funeral service, a minister is far more likely to say called home than bit the dust. And to most of us, resting in peace sounds more comforting than taking a dirt nap. Note that the opposite of a euphemism is a dysphemism, a harsher or more offensive way of saying something. But euphemisms arent always employed with such solicitude. A substantive negative outcome reported at a hospital may reflect a bureaucratic effort to disguise an interns blunder. Likewise, in wartime, a government spokesperson may refer abstractly to collateral damage rather than announce more candidly that civilians have been killed. Euphemisms, Death, and Mortality Euphemisms serve as reminders that communication is (among other things) an ethical activity. Strickland and DeSpelder elaborate on this point: Listening carefully to how language is used provides information about the speakers attitudes, beliefs, and emotional state. Becoming aware of the metaphors, euphemisms, and other linguistic devices that people use when talking about dying and death allows for greater appreciation of the wide range of attitudes toward death and promotes flexibility in communication. Theres no doubt that euphemisms contribute to the richness of language. Used thoughtfully, they can help us avoid hurting peoples feelings. When used cynically, euphemisms can create a haze of deceptions, a layer of lies. And this is likely to remain true long after weve bought the farm, cashed in our chips, given up the ghost, and, as now, reached the end of the line.