My Definition: The exchange of messages, whether intentional or unintentional, between at least two parties through use of the senses.

 

My Criteria: Communicators must communicate their message in a purposeful, topical, and efficient sense.  Additionally, their ability to receive a message should be just as effective as how they send a message while understanding the perspective of the opposite party.

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Reflection: Stream Realty Presentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the first day of my internship at Stream, I was assigned to give a presentation to the entire office on Houston bankruptcy and its effect on the real estate office market.  Having given many public speeches and presentations is the past, I wasn't intimidated, yet I knew I had a challenge in front of me.   I had spent nine weeks gathering market data, conducting interviews, and researching everything I needed for this presentation.  However, what was challenging was consolidating the information and presenting it to an audience with high real estate acumen and a tight schedule.  

 

When designing my presentation, I thought it might be important to include a "bottom line": if my audience doesn't retain the majority of my presentation, the "bottom line" could be of great value. Secondly, I needed to work on my delivery.

 

College speech helped me get rid of filler words (um, y'know, etc.), yet it was brought to my attention that instead of filler words, I would bend a knee, overexaggerate my arms, or some other gesture.  It was key that I delivered my presentation without poor body language to show my audience that I knew what I was talking about.  Furthermore, I didn't want any knee bends or other quirks to distract from my message.  To improve my speaking, I met with one of the associates I was closest too, who had vast experience in public speaking at the corporate level.  We rehearsed over and over, but I was eventually able to deliver my presentation effectively.  

 

The day of the presentation, I committed a cardinal sin and my powerpoint wouldn't initially work.  I was able to get it up and running within 20 seconds, but the old me would've butchered my speech with that mistake nagging in the back of my head.  Instead, the hours of practice paid off, and I was able to give a great presentation with valuable information.  This experience has improved my speech delivery as well as improved how I can communicate hours of data into a breif bottom line.    

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Reflection: STEMCO’s Competitive Brand Awareness

 

Interning during the summer of 2014 at STEMCO, a trucking equipment manufacturing company, I was asked to present a “Competitive Brand Awareness” as my first summer project.  Used as a marketing tool, my presentation would allow the marketing directors and sales team to see the overall marketing strategies of our competitors through advertisements, social media, and press releases.  

 

Upon my assignment to this project, I faced two main challenges that would test my communication skills.  First, I was unclear as to what my marketing director was specifically asking for.  This was a completely unique project for the company, and I didn’t have any prior experience with STEMCO that could aid me in providing direction.  Furthermore, my marketing director, Kelly, worked remotely out-of-state and it was very difficult for me to get to know her and see the type of work that she admired most.  Secondly, I didn’t previously know my co-workers, so it was a little difficult to present them with all of the questions I had surrounding this project.  I wanted to make a good first impression, and I didn’t feel that bombarding my co-workers with questions was the best way to build my professional relationships.  

 

The two co-workers, Josh and Vincent, who worked closest to me, asked me to lunch several times throughout my first two weeks at STEMCO.  I took it as an opportunity to get to know them on a more personal level.  Since they were only in their twenties, it was easy to relate with them, and we all shared the same passion for watching sports and good barbecue.  Being able to get to know Josh and Vincent on a more personal level translated to greater professional relationship.  They repeatedly checked up on me, and I was able to strengthen my understanding of the Competitive Brand Awareness project as they proved to be knowledgeable resources.  Focusing on my relationships with Josh and Vincent allowed me to be a better communicator with them.

 

Within my first weeks of the project, Kelly called me several times to see my progress on the project.  Although I presented her with concerns, I also provided her with my process to solving the problems I faced throughout the beginning stages of the project.  One quality Kelly really admired was strong work ethic.  I was able to communicate how hard I worked by explaining where I was on the project and the steps I took to get there.  I learned the importance of honesty with a boss.  She didn’t always expect a flawless job; however, she liked to hear how I planned on improving.  

 

By the time I finished the Competitive Brand Awareness, Kelly scheduled a conference call with the rest of the sales team for me to present.  I was a little nervous, but my conversations with Josh and Vincent provided me with the support I need to give my presentation with confidence.  Giving my presentation, I communicated my preparedness.  One of the marketing directors was surprised by the statistical data I was able to find and even forwarded my presentation to STEMCO’s vice president.  I viewed my presentation as a success because I felt that I added value to the company and was able to reward Kelly for providing me with the opportunity.  All in all, I learned the importance of communication with co-workers in order to establish a foundation of support, while also the necessity to effectively communicate with my boss so that they can provide the proper guidance to allow me to capitalize on my potential.  Looking forward, I know that the significance of communication should never be undervalued.  My ability to perform is based on the reliance of my understanding of what’s expected of me.