Is Family Business at the core of Finnegan’s Wake or the next generation of social media?
Finnegan’s Wake is a work of comic fiction by Irish writer James Joyce. It is significant for its experimental style and reputation as one of the most difficult works of fiction in the English language, Written in Paris over a period of seventeen years, and published in 1939, two years before the author’s death, Finnegan’s Wake was Joyce’s final work. The main character is Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (HCE).
Finnegan’s Wake is a literary exposition of the Heisenberg Principle and HCE is the key; nothing can be merely what it seems. The act of observing changes the results.
Here Comes Everybody is also the title of a book, Clay Shriky, The subtitle of this book is “Revolution doesn’t happen when society adopts new technology, it happens when society adopts new behaviors.” One of the new behaviors Shriky discusses is how media has evolved. Media in the beginning informed. Then with the dawn of the internet came sharing, Napster, YouTube, Facebook, etc. Here Comes Everybody suggests the next phase is construction and building through sharing. He suggests that Wikipedia and Lenox are early examples of this.
Family Businesses are a social media, without keyboards and websites. Often times this informal communication can be both positive and a cause of consernation. Because family members who own a business tend to see each other in person frequently, a good deal of communication tends to be verbal. Although verbal communication about the affairs of a family business plays a role and is appropriate, written communication cannot be overlooked. The use of memos, and other types of written internal communication within a family-owned business works to ensure that all are on the same page regarding major decisions as well as day-to-day operations.
Meetings are another powerful social media tool in Family Businesses. Designed and managed properly they permit spouses and next generations to see in the cogs of the machine and better understand the workings of the enterprise. George Root III published The 7 C’s of Business Communication. Family Businesses would be wise to consider them as part of their strategy.
Concise
In business it pays to get to the point quickly. Effective business communication uses concise and straightforward language that gets the point across completely and in a manner that encourages efficient action.
Complete
Plan your business communication carefully so you get all of the information to your recipient the first time. If you leave out important information in your initial correspondence that will cause a series of problems that will take time to repair.
Conversational
According to communication coach Ric Phillips, writing on the Evan Carmichael website, it is important to present your information in a conversational tone that invites interaction, rather than a confrontational tone that can cause an argument. Effective communication presents the information in a manner that is not emotional but instead professional.
Clear
With a business communication, you sometimes get only one chance to make your point. If your information is misunderstood, you may not have the opportunity to correct it before it escalates into a problem. When you present your information, be sure to do so in a clear voice that allows every word to be understood.
Considerate
When speaking to business associates or customers, always open the conversation to questions and clarifications. When you finish a statement, allow a moment for the other person to ask a question before you go on to your next part. When you answer a question, be sure the answer is understood before moving on in the conversation.
Confidence
An air of confidence in your conversation helps add credibility to your information. Present your data with a clear and commanding tone that indicates that you know the subject you are speaking about and that the information being presented is valuable.
Check
Always check your data and facts before giving a business presentation of any kind. You may have useful ideas, but if they are accompanied by incorrect information, the power of your ideas is lost
Real Collaboration, Family or Social Media starts with communication and needs listeners.
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