After reading the chapter on the Changing Environment for Business I was able to gather how the companies in America have changed over the years. Throughout the years of business in the United States companies have changed and developed to better suit their customers' needs. In addition, the chapter also talked about how much the media as well as citizens of the United States have helped shape and change companies over the years. The media in particular has played an important part of companies changing because of the documentaries and films released by Hollywood companies. These films and documentaries released have often times talked about companies and their practices as well as different conspiracies too.
During my time as an undergraduate student I majored in communications while minoring in business administration. During my studies as a communication student, I learned a lot about the media industry as well as why and how films and documentaries are made. One of the most famous and probably most controversial directors is Michael Moore. Some of his most recent documentaries have been, "Bowling for Columbine", "Fahrenheit 9/11", "Sicko", and his most recent, "Capitalism, A Love Story". During these movies Michael Moore has documented various important things dealing with the United States, such as the economy, health care, 9/11, and The Columbine Shooting. Many people do not agree with all of Moore's thoughts and ideas, but what he does have to say makes some companies rethink their strategies.
Another example is the movie called, "An Inconvenient Truth". This movie was directed by Davis Guggenheim but had former Vice President, Al Gore discuss, narrate and talk about the dangers of Global Warming. Al Gore started a movement to get the word out about Global Warming. Since this movie was released, there have been political changes as well as environmental changes in the United States as well as in major companies. For Al Gore’s work with Global Warming, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnjx6KETmi4
Lastly, there have been movies loosely documenting certain specific historical events in United States history dealing with the changing of company styles. One that comes to mind is the movie, “Office Space”. This movie was directed by Mike Judge and was about an employee Peter Gibbons, played by Ron Livingston who doesn’t care about work. The movie goes on to say that the company, Initech, is going under changes as a consultant group will be brought in from outside to interview employees and help the company. In the end of the movie, the company, Initech goes bankrupt and out of business. Although this movie is funny and pokes fun at the annoying things and people at the work place, this also showed that companies need to have a positive atmosphere for its employees to work at to get the most out of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDTrDqxUQNw
Overall, I was able to get out of the first chapter was the idea that companies are changing from the outside environment. Although many companies change because of actual events in history, companies also change and redevelop because of Hollywood’s films and documentaries that bring out thoughts and ideas that are often times overlooked.
The movie industry has had an enourmous impact on changes in society. Its influence can change peoples opinions and moods or desensitize society. These can be used in both positive and negative ways. The movie industry has helped to eliminate prejudices and open communication for what use to be tabu subjects. This form of media has been both beneficial and detramental to business. While some movies have depicted business in a negative light, forcing companies to look for ways to change the way they are perceived by the public, many companies have also used this form of media as an advertising mechanism.
ReplyDeleteBusiness is constantly changing and evolving including who is working, where they are working, and what they are doing.
I guess whether we like these movies or not, they will always make you think and that is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to movies cited by Matthew, another great example that we could relate to our communication class is the 2004 documentary "Super-Size Me" starring Morgan Spurlock in which he proved that it was unhealthy to eat at McDonald's restaurant. A month after the movie came out, the SuperSize option was discontinued and the franchise tried to propose healthier food options such as salads.
Of course the company claimed that those changes had nothing do to with the movie.
That is a good way to make the public become aware of various societal problems and sometimes to force companies to change part of their business.
A way movies have changed the environment of business is through advertising. Years ago, you didn't see companies placing products in movies. I believe my first experiences with product placement were with “E.T.” when young Drew Barrymore gave E.T. Reese’s Pieces as well as “Mac & Me” in which McDonalds played a role in the story. These days, there isn't a movie you don't see with an actor drinking a Pepsi or wearing a certain brand of clothing. One could even argue that the new Transformers movies are just big commercials for General Motors since all the Autobots are models of their cars.
ReplyDeleteBusinesses had to begin doing this because consumers of television have been given options such as TIVO or watching their favorite shows online which allows them to skip annoying commercials. But it does not seem like business are really losing out that much because done in Arizona State University shows that product placement is becoming more and more effective. This shows that in the ever changing environment of business when one door closes, another one opens.
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/07/just_when_you_thought_it_was_s.php
Actually, the companies have nearly no choice to react in a very fast changing environment. Even governments are affected, influenced by this changing environment. By the impact of some movies, like cited by Matthew and Nico, I was thinking about another movie, which had a big impact in my country, France.
ReplyDeleteThe movie is called “Home”, directed and realized by a French photographer called Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
On July 1, 2005, he founded the international environmental organization GoodPlanet, and set up the program Action Carbone to offset his own greenhouse gas emissions generated by his helicopter transports. Since then this program has evolved to help people and companies to reduce and offset their climate impact by funding projects on renewable energies, energy efficiency and reforestation.
You can find more information on his website: http://www.yannarthusbertrand.org/
But why I come to him, his movie “Home” was presented for free to the French population, just before the European election, and as a consequence the “Greens”, the ecological party in the government, received more votes, than they ever got before.
This is an exact sign, how just a movie can influence the behavior of people, concerning business or even a government.
Here is the link for the movie, it’s free and in high quality, and you can choose to watch it in English… if you don’t feel comfortable with French…
http://www.youtube.com/user/homeproject?blend=1&ob=4
While increased media coverage and political issues continue to influence the our dynamic business environment, I believe that there is another major contributing factor in the changes we are seeing in the business world. This new influence is being caused by generational differences, especially with the entrance of generation Y as a major contributor to the workforce. Today there are as many as four different generations working together each with their own unique characteristics in how they work, communication, and expectations. Generation Y also known as the millennials have a unique new view towards work compared to older traditional management. These new views on work include more flexible hours, more time off, and options to work at home. This may sound like a generation of lazy people, however they are willing to complete their work but on their terms. Another major difference is the way that they prefer to communicate. These methods include extensive use of technology in the way of texts, emails and video conference verses the traditional face to face meetings. The following two links demonstrate the many generational differences and how businesses are coping with these changes.
ReplyDeletewww.dhss.mo.gov/LPHA/New2008MCHI/GenerationalDifferences_Worksheet_GalenHoff.pdf
http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm
As a member of the millennial generation I have seen the challenges that are emerging from four generational group working together. As a retail manager I had employees the were both much older and younger than me. Each age group required a different management style in order to get them to be successful employees. The older employees liked a more directive style while laissez-fare style were preferred by the younger employees where I served more as a coach than a manager. As time progresses I believe more and more managers will see the need for different management styles and incorporate them to meet the needs of a diversified workforce.
I really appreciate the Matthew's point of view. Indeed today's business have changed a lot, the way the people use to do business and the way people do it now-a-days. Technological improvement is the major cause of changing business environment and indeed the productivity and efficiency has increased many folds.
ReplyDeleteMy Real Life Example
I use to work in my dad's construction business, we use to do planning and demand forecasting manually but through the invention of MRP and ERP we now-a-days rely on these software to get better mapping of supply and demand. We also decrease the lead time by half using these software which ultimately lead to the cost cutting.
In the end note I would say that in order to compete in today's business environment we have to implement new technological features to improve our way of working.
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/new_economy_transition.html
Continuing with the theme of movies influencing the changing methods of communication in the business world, I feel we should also look at how movies have impacted technology and our imaginations to finally have all those fancy futuristic communication toys we see in the movies all the time. One key example of this comes from the classic movie Star Wars, where the popular method of communication was via holograms. Live interaction between two people who’s bodies are three dimensional light display.
ReplyDeleteLast November’s presidential election brought this idea within range of possibility. Live interviews were conducted with hologram technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thOxW19vsTg
While not the most effective means of communicating yet, this break gives rise to new possibilities limited only by the imagination of those seeking take this idea and make it grow. Imagine the possibilities ranging anywhere from global business meetings to childcare with this type of communication technology as it grows.
Movies impact communication not just with the messages, but also with the means of presenting that message. As for me, I’m still waiting from my flying car.
I am a manager for enterprise rent-a-car and in my line of work I have seen how much changing technology affects business. We use web conferencing a lot in order to conduct short training seminars for managers in different locations. I use text messaging in order to communicate with my driver's while they are on the road. In fact without the use of cell phones my job would be nearly impossible. Often times our plans will change two to three times while I am in the office and my employees are out picking up or delivering calls. I can only imagine how difficult a change of plan would have been 20 years ago. I would have to have my employees constantly check in via pay phone. I can't imagine that this would be very efficient.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.business.com/guides/keeping-up-with-business-technology-378