The situations, when performers get into conflict with managers about ongoing projects are not rare. Taking into account, that Linda and her team spent a huge amount of time and made a lot of effort in order to develop the new product, it seems to be obvious that Linda’s position is to protect the ‘brainchild’ of her team. New console, in fact, needs to be let into production for a couple of reasons. The first advantage of developing the console is that the project has a promising start (Linda’s presentation was so effective, that even ‘leaked’ posts on different blogs about it have scared the opponents off). Secondly, when the console is ready, it will revolutionize the trade market of video games. At least, the actually existing product will not only scare ChrisMark off, it will push this company off the market for a long time. In these terms, the new console is not only a welcome invention, it is a necessity. Therefore, Linda ought to develop an effective and convictive communication in order to protect her position and persuade managers to put the new console into development.
In order to convince Thomas and other managers that developing the console is necessary, Linda needs to present as much evidence as possible. Additionally, she needs to influence the course of managers’ thoughts and their conversation. Moreover, it needs no evidence that Linda actually needs to take part in their discussion decision. In these terms, the best way to communicate Linda’s position is an official presentation of the console. There was one presentation (the one, which was ‘leaked’), but managers did not view it as a presentation of a ‘real’ product as they actually were not going to put this console into development. This time, Linda needs to rebuild her previous presentation and highlight the necessity and advantages of a new model.
The positive sides of such communication are definitely numerous. Firstly, Linda will be an equal participant of a discussion, she will be able to ask questions, answer them and change her presentation (but not her position) in order to follow the course of conversation. Secondly, this presentation can be held for a big audience, which will consist of not only Thomas or only managers, but also Linda’s team and other company workers. This will create a possibility of mass maintenance and support. In any case, a big audience is easier to convince (Bennett, 1994). Linda can support her communication with visual presentation, including photo, video and important data, which will present the model of console. However, there will be some challenges. The most difficult for Linda will be to provide the audience with new presentation, which needs to differ from the previous one. In order to persuade Thomas to change his mind, Linda ought to impress him, or at least, give some more new convictive facts.
Thomas, as he is Linda’s boss and the main decision-maker;
Managers (as in previous conversation Thomas said Linda that managers created such a plan to scare off ChrisMark), as they are key stakeholders too;
Linda’s team, as they are also eager to develop the console and put it into production;
Workers from other departments of Gink, which can take part in future development of the new console, as they can support her too.
Linda’s design of her communication is to attract the attention, persuade key stakeholders to stand on her side of the conflict. In these terms, Linda needs to organize her communication in the most impressive, thus, convictive way. The key feature, which can help Linda organize an effective design, is creativity (Frascara, 2004). In a company, which works on video games, nobody can be impressed by a beautiful and upgraded PowerPoint presentation. In these terms, not the ‘decor’ of the data is Linda’s strong side. Her design ought to include actually impressive details, performed the way nobody expects. One of such ways to convince managers by a design is to work out a simulation of the console working, shaping out the prediction of the market changes and customers’ perception.
The style of Linda’s communication is definitely assertive. Linda knows everything about her product and she is eager to protect it from ‘extinction’. Therefore, she can objectively persuade Thomas and managers to accept her position without trying to manipulate them (which is an aggressive style). This style requires controlling the emotions, still provides people with confidence, as it is supported by knowledge and awareness. Linda is a good professional, she has been working on the console for a long time; these two conditions will not let her fall beyond. Additionally, Thomas, as he is a boss, probably obtains ‘leadership’ features, which make him persist manipulation and pressure.
The chosen way of communication, its style, design and medium make it impossible for Linda to predict the actual course of discussion. However, she can write some kind of memo, a plan, which will help her follow the main guidelines and not ‘get lost’. This plan can be designed in a form of a list of questions, Linda needs to answer during her presentation or discuss with managers.
What is the concept of the new console? (Include only important information, people have already heard of it).
How does it answer the requirements of our company?
How does it correspond to costumers’ requirements?
How can it influence the market of video games?
How can it help defeat our opponents?
What material advantages does it have? (Prediction of income).
What non-material advantages does it have? (Rising authority, widening range of customers, new possible business allies etc.).
What are the perspectives it can bring? (The development of new products on the base of this console etc.).
The presence of such a list of key questions will help Linda keep up with her thoughts during the presentation. Additionally, these questions are the vitally important aspects of a future production, which can convince Thomas and managers that the console is a necessity.
References
Bennett, R. (1994). Organisational Behaviour. London: Pitman.
Frascara, J. (2004). Communication design. New York: Allworth Press.
Dear Thomas,
I am writing to you in order to express the dissatisfaction and demotivation of our team, which is due to the fact that the company has decided not to release Gink we have been working so hard on for a while now. While I understand that this is the top management decision based on good facts, figures and prospects, I would like to express my point of view on the issue.
Our team has been working extremely hard on the development of this new console. We have stayed hours after work was over and even worked additionally on the weekend. The whole team was very excited about this new product because it really is revolutionary and we expected it to set up apart from the competitors. While just creating it may be enough for us with withstand ChrisMark, actually producing it will help us leave the competitors far behind at least for a little bit.
Gink is a wonderful and exceptionally new product which can bring a lot of the market of video games and I truly hope you take all of our hard work and our great result into consideration and consider launching Gink into production.
Best regards,
Linda
