The ethical difference in Asia

Hi again everyone,

In reference to my last post on event's co-ordination, we all know that our ethical behavior and ethical norms are essential for a PR Practioner anywhere around the world. When i was co-ordinating the event and several other projects, i was subjected to a few ethical queries that i was sure would not be seen as ethical or normal in Australia.

For example, in order to sign contracts and gain business deals i sometimes had to wine and dine some of the industry professionals in order to even get them to read my proposals. I found it quite difficult to understand at first because i thought i was bribing them to read my documents. Slowly i learnt that in order to get them to be interested, going out for lunch, dinner or after hours drinks were the most suitable time to discuss proposals; not because they want a free meal but because it was less stressful and it allowed a more comfortable atmosphere to discuss each others wants, needs and benefits out of the deal.

It was quite a learning curve for me and it took some time for me to actually gain a hold of the communication level my supervisor was on; essential the way we converse about a proposal is so different and it was not just about knowing when to be polite, aggresive or kind but to know when to be persuasive in the friendliest manner was the hardest for me to adjust to.

Overall, communication skills are so important in asia that there is a whole other language when it comes to making deals. I definitely learnt a lot when i followed my supervisor around and had the chance to try this myself as well.


Thanks again!

Jun

Communication management: simplifying complexity

This third post arising from my internship experience seeks to clarify the path I have been following as I advanced along my journey with my colleagues during the last fifteen days.

I have been the witness of the change in the team attitude as time and events unfold, creating a network of bonds among individuals. This is a reason for hope and rejoicing.

The intern is both in and out, close and distant. Because of his external perception of a situation he is able to simplify complexity. His thinking is clear, may be not encompassing, but at least cuts through much of the clutter.

Our training in PR planning has accustomed us to objectives, goals and targets. Unless we can measure our achievements, we cannot manage and achieve results. Communication objectives are just part of the overall business objectives of PPP (People, Profit and Planet).

This 3P paradigm can be relevant to our travel agency business: profit is the fuel of the business, people are the end and the basic resource, and the planet is the space within which all things happen. Of course this theory is applicable more largely but what is important is that this theoretical application was rediscovered and applied in the context of this internship.

Referring to system thinking, Public Relations is basically inter-relations at a macro level. We apprehend at any one time only the part of the system immediately in contact with our senses. It is this myopia, which allows the system to function, since inter-connectivity does not mean the absence of firewalls or barriers to communication…