After reading Emily Sopensky and Laurie Modrey's, "Survival Skills for Communicators within Organizations," I began to think if I have had any occurrences with the scenarios they provide. The one scenario that most correlates with what I have been through is the first one. Working on a collaborative project, but not being able to get in contact with that person. In the scenario Sopensky and Modrey tell the story about a project involving two people who do not work in the same building. One person has begun the project, but needs more information from the second and is unable to get in contact with them. Sopensky and Modrey explain steps you should take to make the person respond to you. For example, if calling and emailing don't work, try leaving them a note on their office or on their car; get them donuts if they like donuts; ask someone who works with them to try and get in contact with them.
I thought about my situation and the only two outlets I have to reach my partner is by phone or email. We work in different businesses and across town from each other. We are working on a project together that needs to be finished at the beginning of May/end of April. I have done all I can until I get feedback from who I'm working with. I initially called her to let her know where I stood with the project and what I needed from her. I then sent her an email with attachments of the documents I have come up with and what I intend to do with them. Two weeks went by with no response. I sent her a follow-up email which got her attention. Another week is about to be over and I have not heard from her since. I know that schedules are busy and it can be difficult to cram in a project, especially if it's long-term (we can put it off for a longer period of time because we know we don't need it until the end of April). I must say, its still frusterating trying to come up with different directions this project could be taken in without the feedback of someone else.
However, even though I haven't had any feedback with this project, I continue to come up with new ideas on how we could lay out the information (i.e. in a brochure, in a two-fold, one sheet of paper, etc.), what, if any, kinds of images we would want to include, etc. Although I have been unable to get in contact with who I am doing this project for, that doesn't stop me from doing more research or coming up with new ways of explaining the information that needs to be explained, or the different kinds of layout that can be used to portray the information. It's a flexible enough project that I can do what I think is best, but having a direction to go in is always better than potentially running in circles.
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First, you raise an important point here about the benefits of working steadily on a major project rather than waiting until the last minute to produce it -- the project could potentially be taken in more useful and different directions if feedback comes earlier rather than later in a project. That being said, Sopensky and Modrey are right--consistent, persistent communication attempts in a variety of forms are important, no matter how early or late in the production process. So, perhaps a weekly email and phone call that asks for follow-up and includes an explanation of why you're hoping to get her feedback and continue working on the project as soon as possible. Also, in your communication, provide specific questions or concerns that you have or want feedback on, as this can help to focus the reader's attention and perhaps make the workload seem more manageable. Overall, nice entry here--I appreciate your pulling those readings into your reflective writing assignment.
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