Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Online Communications

The Think Fast, Talk Smart, podcast is hosted by Matt Abrahams, a professor of strategic communications at Stanford, and is produced by the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The podcast focuses on evaluating and enhancing interpersonal communications from an academic perspective, and the intended audience is business professionals.  In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, "How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communications" Matt and specials guests gauge the effectiveness of purposeful online communications, and further discuss some tips for improving virtual communications. Matt and guests strongly emphasize the importance of presentation in virtual meetings, regularly highlighting the importance of non-verbal communications in virtual meetings. Eye contact, gestures, and audible variations in voice, Matt argues, are critical components of communications that are fundamental to disclosure, and disclosure is critical for gaining trust. Nearly every facet of this episode was elaborated upon in chapter 14, "Informative Presentations", of Communicating Online. Yet, this episode did offer some insightful variations or additions to enhancing online communication skills. 

     

• Suttle shifts in presence helps to hold audience attention: Use posture and gestures to highlight your audible communications, carefully. 
• Use paraphrasing as a transitional tool: Paraphrase a colleagues statement, add your thoughts, then transition to the next topic. 
• Take the time to setup your camera optimally: Your head/face should full 1/2 the screen, there should be some space above your head, and put a picture of a loved one just behind your camera, this will make eye contact easy and sincere. 
• Humans are designed for greater engagement with changing stimuli: Plan your dialog, avoid cognitive overload, consider regularly changing your meeting format. 

How does your camera setup influence your online presence, online communication?

      

In essence and summary, this podcast episode's thesis is that online interpersonal communications are based on the fundamental principles of communication, but the context differs, and therefore methods of communications must be altered. Carefully planning your online presence is key for effective online communications. Doing so helps to establish a trust that encourages interpersonal interactions, which develops further disclosure and engagement. And because virtual meetings have become a permanent fixture of the professional business world, developing your online presence is key to enhancing online communications. 

References

Abrahams, Matt. (2023). "How To Shine Online and Excel at Online Communications".                   Think Fast, Talk Smart Podcast. 2023. https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/quick-             thinks-how-to-shine-online-and-excel-at-virtual/id1494989268?i=1000517406053

BBC News. (Sept. 24th, 2021). " New Zealand Council's Zoom Talks Go Viral as Pretend              Meeting. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58674888.       

Green, Julia. (2023). Communicating Online. McGraw-Hill Create.                                                    https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781307876413.

 Social Media as a Platform

 

 

 

·         How have people used social media to win the hearts and minds of people?

The scope and social impact of social media has created a new informational construct that provides the cognitive, effective, personal integrative, social integrative, and tension free needs of many users. With this platform influencers and groups often effectively use rhetoric to persuade audiences or share information. Influencers and groups can additionally act as gatekeepers of information, which may result in reinforcing bias in the audience. However, the individual audience members own needs and personal interpretive bias may play a large role in the effectiveness of the exposed rhetoric. The easiest example of this phenomenon in motion can be seen in any American high-stakes political race, in which both parties ramp up social media communications in an attempt to motivate support.  

 

·         Give an example of how it’s been used in a positive, or negative way.

          How has social media become a powerful mobilization channel?

         

One of the greatest negatives of social media as a platform is that it has not improved oppositional dialog, but rather intensified it. While there are many theories as to why, the fact remains that this intensification has aided social polarization. Yet, the role of social media in interpersonal communications has a bright side too. As a platform social medias networking capabilities are nearly unmatched. And in that way social media has become a powerful tool for mobilization. Many influencers, groups, and individuals have used social media to carry out humanitarian efforts such as disaster relief or social awareness of ethics violations.      

 

 Business Embracing Online Communications

The PRS guitar company is highly regarded by musicians in nearly every genre of popular music. But being formed and renowned prior to the digital era, how has PRS used online an online presence and communications to maintain or enhance their company’s image?  

PRS does effectively use online communications to communicate the company’s core values, which include quality, assurance, and community. The company uses YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to promote its approach to quality instruments and to distinguish itself from the competition. However, and perhaps more importantly, the company also uses its online platforms to reduce uncertainty on a personal level. This is accomplished, on Instagram for example, by short and personal reels by respected musicians that often require little to no introduction. The presence of known figures immediately reduces the uncertainty between the individual and the company and its products, thereby making a more meaningful connection with the viewer.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYmNUFYlnFJ/?hl=en

PRS makes additional uses of YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to network events, tell stories, and generally promote an online presence that reflects the  professionalism of the company’s persona. While this selective disclosure is to be expected by both professional individuals and businesses alike, PRS’ focus on community communicates a sense of respectability and earned trust needed for a relationship.

It is clear that the PRS company has refined its online communications and presence. The company’s messaging is contemporary in delivery and context, and all of the major online platforms are utilized for their unique potential to project the company’s image.    

If we visit the official PRS website, the first (top) page immediately communicates a personal and friendly image, a direct communication of welcoming disclosure by featured artists. As we scroll down we will find other approachable disclosures in the form of bio’s from other known and upcoming artists. And as we scroll to the bottom, we find continued personal disclosures from signature artists, as well as events and news.

About US (PRS)

While in one sense the layout of company’s website is communicating personal discolsure, it could also be viewed as communicating an appraisal interview. The site discloses past achievements and future goals, and very much promotes itself as being the right candidate for the job. And through those communications, the company consistently communications a strong sense of self and self-purpose. The clarity of which can be observed in the company’s longer YouTube clips, where the company’s focus on viewer engagement is promoted through discussions and company links. This is just one more example of the company’s refined communications, as well as an indicator of a deeper understanding of the nuances of online communications.

It would be difficult to improve PRS’ online communications. However, I did notice that all the platforms utilized by the company were American/Western. I wonder of the company could more broadly project its image if it were to use other platforms found in the global east.

 

Sedentary Immigration 

·         According to Prensky, what is the immigrant/native divide and how has it affected the way students learning? 

Prensky uses the relatable terms “digital immigrants and digital natives” to describe the contrast in learning and communication between those born into the digital age, and those born prior. In general, those born in the digital age have adopted technology as a staple-medium for leaning and communicating. Dissimilarly, those born before the implementation of modern communications technology were taught and learned much differently, Today, the “legacy” model for learning and communicating is essentially foreign for younger generations, known as the digital natives. Likewise, digital immigrants generally have difficulties learning the new language of natives, and when they do, their “accents” betray their immigration. Consequently, Prensky is essentially saying that the communications between the two groups is wanting, if not detrimental. Prensky uses the examples of games, speed of delivery, and random access, to show that digital natives have developed different ways of learning, ways foreign the the immigrant, but still very effective. And this is why the gap in communications between the two groups is detrimental, the learning potential of digital natives is not being maximized in our education system.  

 

·         According to Prensky, what category do you fall into and how has this affected your learning?

According to Prensky, I fall somewhere in the middle of being a digital immigrant/native. While I definitely have an accent at times, my early immigration has helped to smooth the transition, and a good network of family and friends also helps me to make sense of the changes. Additionally, being an e-campus student has done wonders for my digital literacy. The various formats, requirements, and opportunities provided by e-campus has left me all but proficient in most forms of modern communication and learning. Subsequently, I currently do my utmost to embrace the benefits of our new language. Though, to be transparent, it was not always easy. Extreme frustration or anxiety often made the learning process difficult, even almost impossible at times. Technical difficulties, in a zoom meeting for example, that caused me a near melt down is something I’ve heard younger students scoff at. “It happens” I’ve been told, “nothing to stress about”. In sticking with Prensky’s theme, I think my zoom example is akin to not understanding cultural norms as an immigrant. Thankfully, the natives have been kind to me, and I’ve been fortunate enough find some efficacy using the new language.  

 

Knapp's Relational Model

I have a dear friend, also named Matt, that I have been friends with for about 10 years. Today we share a symmetrical relationship that is still developing in Knapp’s bonding stage, though there has been significant differentiation over the years. Interestingly, something quite unique for our relationship, it is largely the differentiation between us that keeps us in the bonding stage. Similarly, it is the incredible symmetry between us that makes the differentiation valuable, almost as if the differences were a currency in our interpersonal communication. And because we both have families, academic pursuits, and careers, online communication has become a staple for our interpersonal communications.

Without online communication Matt and I would almost certainly have regressed into Knapp’s stagnating stage long ago. We’re just too busy, our schedules might allow one in-persona visit every month or two. Under such circumstances there is no time for relationship maintenance, let alone building after the initiation stage. 

 

Consequently, asynchronous communication through email has allowed us to develop a unique relationship to us both; we amass topics, ideas, or theories, and send them to each other spontaneously with the understanding that there probably will not be a response. The responses are largely saved for our in-person meetings in which we tease apart the nuances of our differences. While this format for a relationship is unique to both of us, we have both noted how valuable it is to each of us. Additionally, the value of our relationship has manifests perfectly to Knapp’s theory, as we have enjoyed countless dinners, concerts, and other public events together. And true to both the Media Multiplicity and Knapp’s theories, our relationship is maintained and enhanced through online communication. It is true that the initiating-through-integrating stages for Matt and I took place in person, but the sharing of email addresses that enhanced our relationship to its current value.     

[Over]sharing Online

 

Discussion - [Over]sharing Online 

 

As we all know, communicating online is complex and can be both positive and detrimental to the individual, depending on use and intent. But why would a seemingly simplified version of communication be negative in any way? Online communication is complicated because human communication is complicated. As a species we evolved to rely on visual cues for interpretation, such as body language and facial expressions, both of which are absent in the vast majority of online communications. The deficiency of important non-audible cues can easily cause misinterpretation at any level of communication online, which leads to miscommunications and potentially negative repercussions within meaningful interactions. Similarly, online communication offers a certain sense of anonymity or separation from the people we are communicating with. These altered factors of communication develop into an uncanny environment void of accountability, resulting in negative altercations, but more importantly, avoiding communicative growth. Because online communication is so different from in-person communication, there affects, too, are cognitively different for the user. Consequently, no quantity of “friends”, “likes”, or “karma” can effectively or permanently improve mental health for the user, nor can it fill the entirety of social needs for our social species.

Despite the many potential negative aspects of online communication, and especially those aspects associated with social media, online communication tools are just that, tools. The individual’s use and intent of those tools can largely determine the qualitative outcome of their interactions. To that point, a healthy knowledge of communication influences both intent and use. For instance, understanding that online communication is distinct from in-person communication lets the user understand that the tool has limited or specific applications, thereby helping the user avoid accidental miscommunications. Likewise, the intent of the user is equally impacted by knowledge of effective communication. If the individual understands that the tools misuse can be detrimental for the mental health of all parties involved, the user’s intent might be altered to account for potential negative outcomes. Last, it appears that if the user understands the five tenants of effective communication, the intent and use of social media is maximized to its potential for that user. In such circumstances networking, opportunities, and relationship maintenance are all enhanced. In summary, online communication is a fantastic tool that when used properly can provide terrific benefits, but when used improperly can cause equally terrific problems. If you are interested in reading about more benefits associated with online communication feel free to look into this article.         

-About Me-

 

-About Me-

Greetings!

My name is Matt and I’m from Hillsboro, Oregon, which is in the NW of Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley. Currently, I live in a small rural community just outside of Aurora, Oregon, with my wife and daughter. I am presently pursuing a bachelor’s in Agricultural Sciences, which I will finish next term. Yay! Following graduation, I will be continuing my graduate research that I started last summer, after which I will be starting my graduate studies in entomology/horticulture. My professional goals include being involved in extension research and outreach. When I’m not studying, working, or spending time with my family, I love to backpack long distances, fish, forage, and just generally enjoy the outdoors. I also love to read books, play music, and learn new and exciting things. An interesting or uncommon fact about myself is that I do not utilize social media in any way, many of my colleagues find that curious. However, I do use email for academic, professional, and personal purposes daily. Yet, because my professional goals include extension outreach, and because online communication is common in my field, I very much look forward to learning all this course has to offer. My previous communication course was Ag 351, communicating agriculture to the public, and my goal for this course is exactly the same as my previous communications course, to absorb as much of the information as possible to enhance my professional and personal life. I look forward to this term and getting to know all of you using interpersonal communications.

Kindly,

Matt