Communication Breakdown and Ways to Resolve!

As an employee, I seriously believed that in all organization, one of the major threat to them would be "Communication Breakdown". Someone once said that "communication is the lifeblood of an organization" - and it truly is I reckon. An organization that is experiencing a breakdown in communication will not live for very long because many problems will crop up and eventually cause the organization to die a natural death to which I would like to term it as "SILENT KILLER".



If an organization is experiencing communication problems, one must do what each of us can to resolve these as soon as possible. The life of an organization is at stake.
Now the question that arise to some would include "How do you know if your organization is experiencing communication problems?" 


Here are 12 possible signs that one should look out for which I basically based it from my standing point. These however are not limited as such subject matter is diverse to tap into:


1) You find it hard to get some people to cooperate
2) Some people are being left out of the communication loop.
3) Replies to messages are being delayed or completely ignored.
4) Groups in the organization are failing to reach their goals.
5) Mistakes are cropping up more and more often.
6) People are resorting more to criticism and placing the blame on other people.
7) Morale of teams is going down.
8) Productivity is dull or at zero level.
9) You receive many complaints.
10) Moments of conflict result in expressions of anger.
11) There is significant employee turnover.
12) Business is going to your competitors instead of to you.


If you find that there are some or many (if not all) of these warning signs present in your organization, it is advisable for you to take steps to address such problems before they kill your organization.
How does one correct or resolve such problems? There are different steps to take to counter the prevalence of communication problems in organizations.


1) First, listen to the people involved or who have caused the communication problem in the first place. Doing so allows you to uncover the depth, nature and roots of the communication problem for that particular group of people.


2) If the problems are quite vast and have deeply-rooted causes, you may want to secure the help of a neutral negotiator. This third party may be able to get inside the problem more thoroughly than an insider because when communication problems crop up, the group involved may choose to clam up or point fingers rather than admit to their role in creating the problem.


3) To maintain confidentiality, it is possible to use a
tool such as a survey. People who might be scared to tell the truth because of reprisals would then have another safer option compared to coming out of the crowd.


4) After you have uncovered the problem and its roots, you may choose to initiate group counseling or training. The point of this is to address the problem of the group, rather than focusing on just one person. Finger-pointing is avoided. The saying "united we stand, divided we fall" should become the motto of the group.


5) It is important for the leader to have great communication skills so that communication problems can be resolved. Communication skills are required to diagnose communication problems, and naturally, provide the necessary solutions. Leaders who lack adequate communication skills might benefit from more training in communication.


6) Do your research - perhaps the communication problem you are experiencing now has occurred before in the history of the organization. And perhaps someone knows the solution that could work now. So look inwards into the heart of the organization, ask around, and you may find the way to properly address your organization's communication problems.


Remember, if an organization is already suffering communication problems, don't wait for these symptoms to get worse. Good communication is necessary for an organization to function properly and stay viable amidst the influx of a multitude of challenges from the environment. Act immediately on communication problems and stem the bleeding of your organization.

My favorite Chinese restaurant has a sign that says "No MSG." What is MSG? Is it bad for you?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.
MSG has been used as a food additive for decades. Over the years, the FDA has received many anecdotal reports of adverse reactions to foods containing MSG. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Sweating
• Facial pressure or tightness
• Numbness, tingling or burning in face, neck and other areas
• Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Weakness

However, researchers have found no definitive evidence of a link between MSG and these symptoms. Researchers acknowledge, though, that a small percentage of people may have short-term reactions to MSG. Symptoms are usually mild and don't require treatment. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.

Food For Your Loved Ones Brings a Smile To The Tummy ^_^

When I was a kid I assumed that cinnamon was the opposite of mint. I had reasoned that this was a basic and irrefutable rule of the universe. Cinnamon possessed heat through spice as obviously evidenced via Red Hots candies and the warm sensation and flavor cinnamon imbued when I sprinkled it over applesauce or oatmeal. It made logical sense that the heat of cinnamon was therefore the opposite of the chill inducing mint. 

Simply put: cinnamon = hot.@_@

Now, as an adult (as in young adult :) ), I find it to be an intriguing trick of the mind to make cinnamon ice cream. A chilly treat with a fragrant, spicy glow that sort of buries itself in your stomach and fans embers through your body. Hot and cold all wrapped up into one frozen scoop. This ice cream is a wonderful alternative to vanilla when served with pie, cake, or stewed or fresh fruit.

Cinnamon Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon ( yummy spice )
• 1 cup of whole milk
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 6 egg yolks

Method

1 Place the cinnamon in a small, dry skillet, over low heat. Keep the skillet moving just until the cinnamon becomes fragrant. Take off heat (note that too long in the pan will burn the cinnamon).


2 Warm the milk, sugar, salt and cinnamon and 1 cup of the cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat whisking to incorporate the cinnamon into the liquid.

3 While the milk mixture warms set a bowl over another bowl filled with ice. Place the remaining cup of cream into the now chilling bowl and set a mesh strainer on top.



4 In a separate bowl whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to avoid the eggs scrambling. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan.



5 Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a wooden spoon or heat proof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir. When the custard becomes thick until the mixture thickens and coats the spoon so that you can run your finger across the coating and have the coating not run.

6 Pour the custard through the strainer into the cream. Stir until cool over the ice bath.

7 Chill the mixture thoroughly and then place in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Makes approximately 1 quart.

Here you go!

10 Ways on How to Help Your Child Cope Up With Stress!

One
Recognize that children handle stress in different ways. Some show a regression in behavior – acting younger, more fearful, clingier. Outbursts of anger and aggression are also signals at all ages. A child or teen who withdraws or who seems constantly sad or has trouble sleeping or shows significant changes in appetite may also be showing signs of stress.

Two
Encourage conversation. Look for opportunities to ask about feelings and opinions. Some of the best conversations happen in a car with the radio, CD player and cell phone off.


Three
Think about your own reactions – are you feeling very stressed and is that being communicated to children? Find ways to relax yourself so that you can stay calm for them.


Four
Look for creative ways to deal with stress. For younger children, puppets may help them act out their feelings. Teens could be encouraged to write their thoughts in a journal or diary. Reading books together not only provides valuable family time, but also gives everyone a deeper understanding of world events. Realizing how a character (real or fictional) coped with a disaster, war or difficulty can give lessons that can be emulated.

Five
Plan for some exercise or sports activities that can be done together to release tension. From walking to swimming, biking or skating, getting everyone to move more makes a big difference in mental outlook as well.

Six 
Volunteer together or take a stand together. Look for opportunities in the community in which you can make a difference. Being able to contribute also helps your family or group to bond and understand what your family’s and/or group’s values are.


Seven
Try to acknowledge how a child may feel. Taking a child’s or teen’s concerns seriously, rather than minimizing them, builds a foundation for more open communication.


Eight
Answer questions honestly, and share what is age appropriate.

Nine
Don’t make a promise that you can’t keep. You can’t tell your child that a natural disaster or terrorist attack will never affect your family or group. You can say that the chances are very small and that you will do whatever you can to keep everyone safe.


Ten

Keep tabs on what children are viewing and hearing – at home and at school. Know when to pull the plug on TV, and radio.

How To Make You Bedroom Unique!

If you are tired of your room looking the same as anyone else's, check this out!. Such simple guide will make your friends green with envy.
Best yet it ain't ROCKET SCIENCE! @_@

a) Don't go out and buy things just yet. Chances are you probably already have tons of stuffs
that you can use.

b) If you can't decide on a theme, you can use mini themes throughout the room. For
example, you can devote your desk to the beach and one of your shelves to the Orient.

c) Do you have a bulletin board? Try stretching over it and stapling the edges of the fabric to
the back of the board. Now you have a personalized bulletin board! How simple is that
right?

d) If you have photos but no frames, and no scrapbook, you can buy CD wallpaper. Basically its
a CD holder you hang on your wall. You can use it to show off photos, stamps, CD's, tickets
or anything else you can think of. Once I collected a bunch of CD's that had differently
colored backs ( the part you're not supposed to touch) and displayed them there. It made a
really cool effect. :)

e) Hand up some memorabilia. Don't know what that is? Simple just GOOGLE it since your
online! Lolz.....

f) If you have a bunk bed, maybe get an expo marker and write all over it. ( I have seen a
friend did it and it looks awesome. Write random stuffs like emotions, your fave songs,
lyrics....anything random basically or you can even considered drawing little things like
weather, faces, words, names for children. Be creative!

g) Buy or get some canvas and paint cos its time to bring out the inner child in you. You don't
have to be an artist but just pick 3 favorite colors, and paint something abstract. Close your
eyes and finger paint. Be Messy and Have Fun.......News paper is a good idea! :)

h) Hang things up differently. Hang stuffs up lopsided or upside down. Don't go crazy tho!

i) Does the sun come through your window in the afternoon? Hang up little things that catches
the light in you room or even stained glass your window.

Don't work too hard, you don't have to push all the work into a short space of time....
Unless you just want to tire yourself out!

Living Life Fully

Life with fixed routine can be bored. Everything is so mechanical and predictable.


Watch television less. Too much of the tube feeds boredom and restlessness. Set aside evenings away from the television set to go to a movie, play tennis, or be with friends.

Take a break from daily routine. Hire a baby-sitter, for example, and go lunch with your friends of yours or go shopping for bargains. Go out to dinner with your hus­band and leave your daily routine behind for a while.

Keep in touch with your friends and relatives. Every­body needs human contact. Invite a neighbor of yours for coffee, or call up a friend whom you have not recent­ly heard from. Who knows? Your friends or loved ones might have more interesting ideas for a fun weekend or summer vacation you can all attend to

Communicate. At work, find friends among co-workers and give your­self breaks to chat with them or invite them to your home for dinner.

Read and explore. If you enjoy reading, read more. You will find new atti­tudes and new possibilities for your life with different reading materials including magazines, encyclopedias, novels, and newspapers.

Do not be afraid to make changes. Whenever possible, change your routine. Do your Thurs­day chores on Wednesday - and vice versa. And while you are busy at your tasks, listen to music or dance around. It will surely brighten up your day.

Give yourself a "private hour" each day to do only what you want. Read, re-do your hair, polish your nails or simply sit quietly and relax.

Try to see the funny side of life. Read funny comics, watch comedy shows, or play with children. Laughter is the best tonic for boredom. The more you laugh, the less bored you will be.