Guess who I want to audit next!

The recent police shooting of the Immaculate student has left me dumbfounded and frustrated. Allow me to vent for a few sentences... but before I start on my rant, get some context of my argument through this video:

I literally had chills as I watched this. Anger boiled up in me and I could feel my hands clenching as if to smite the reckless souls that slaughtered this child. Dramatic, am I? I only become like this when I am very passionate about a subject, and for this, I could write an entire novel! There is something wrong with the police force. This is not even the first! The  Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has confirmed that this is the 25th police shooting SINCE MONTH! 

Not only is there a competency issue with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), but there is a communication issue. I am most certain that being seen as cold- hearted criminals is not something that the Force would like to communicate to our society. They are supposed to bring justice, not unlawfulness. They need to revisit their goals and objectives. What they need is Strategic Communications Management where it matches what is communicated to their internal and external audiences with the organization's objectives and goals (what ought to be communicated). A combination of internal and external audits would need to take place.

There are inconsistencies on both levels. Firstly, the police need to be re-educated on their role and mission. There is absolutely some cognitive dissonance between what policemen understand from their role and knowing what their role really is. This has led to corruption, wrong motives and like the recent incident, senseless action. There needs to be a strategic alignment with the entire JCF so that all policemen and policewomen are fully clear on their job description, limitations and consequences for stepping outside their jurisdiction. But they cannot be allowed to go around bullying persons because they seem to have the right to.a

That internal audit would be intense in striving to properly manage the reputation of the Force that seems to have been run over a thousand times by the media like road kill, and then burst open when the sun hits it to pull out its intestines, represented by the public. As such, in strategically analyzing its entire communication process, the external audience of the JCF cannot be left out. The public is a major part of why, how and how well the police do their job. They were, after all, called to serve and protect the Jamaican citizens. So far they seem to be doing more harm than good; destroying instead of saving. Of course, they may be doing good in a lot of other areas. But is this what is communicated to their audiences? Something needs to be changed to ensure a smooth flow of controlled information where positive deeds of the police are also put in the spotlight. The people need to know that they are doing the best they can to serve them fairly and honestly. 

Jamaicans also need to know what is the job of the police, so that they can easily tell when it is not being done and that police actions may be justified because WE ALL know that x policeman was doing their job. It is natural for people to resist correction or punishment. But understanding the motives and applied reasoning behind the police's actions will engender a greater level of appreciation and a lower level of resistance.

JCF's image needs to be changed, their reputation needs to be managed and strategic communications need to be employed to ultimately improve the relationship between the JCF and its publics. Only then can we move forward as a law abiding society and work together to reduce crime and violence in our beautiful island, Jamaica.

Technological advancement... necessary knowledge for the communicator

Our global environment is becoming more digitized. Traditional methods of communication are being replaced and preferred. Everyday we move from the Olive Tree paradigm to the Lexus. It is extremely important for the professional communicator to be 'on top of' these trends in order to communicate effectively to a wide range of consumers and audiences. Want to do a little catching up on new trends and evolving digital patterns? Check out this DID YOU KNOW video.

Benefits of Auditing

Yesterday marked my second trip to the company that my group audits, Ammar's. We finished up most of the staff interviews except those persons who had their day off. We will complete it on Friday as well as the managerial interviews. Persons who did not get their time last week were eager to speak with us. There as such sincerity in their answers! I realized that there were really big and important problems with communication in Ammar's that needed immediate attention and resolution. What I also saw was that people are very important. The staff at Ammar's don't get a lot of pay evidently. Most of them are sales clerks and cashiers. Some may not think those positions are important. Certainly, they do not feel appreciated by the company. This is a huge problem. If the workers do not feel comfortable in their environment then how does the company expect them to be dedicated and committed to their job?? People even want an opportunity to leave! Where is the company morale and commitment. Persons seem to work there because they have to have a job, not because they are satisfied and motivated. This can be easily fixed if the management cared to jump in on the situation. There are other issues like skewed communication and cognitive dissonance between the members of staff and heads of the company

Seeing these many problems, and learning why they are so important and even how to solve them gives me great satisfaction. I have developed such a close relationship with the staff members that I want to see their needs fulfilled. Being at a position to make that happen is empowering! I would do it for them for free (which currently I am). I never knew auditing brought so much satisfaction in my heart, even without contemplating the satisfaction of my pockets. I would definately want to go into this for a living.

There are needs all over the place. As a future entrepreneur, I strive to recognize needs out there and seek to fulfill them. That is how a successful entrepreneur is born after all. Auditing allows me to discover needs on an organizational as well as individual level. In interviewing the members, because they feel so close and comfortable with me as an auditor, they explain to me the context of their situation in explaining why certain circumstances in the organization pose a problem.

I also build relationships. The staff members were very diverse, especially since working there does not require any specified skill. Among the staff, I found aspiring businesswomen (mostly female staff), managers, nurses, models, students, and entrepreneurs like myself. This is a good way to network. But I saw this not just as a way to advance me in my own interests but I saw different areas I could help them to accomplish their dreams and I wanted to help them go above and beyond what they expected of them!

Is this implying that I want to be a motivational speaker? I have never considered that sphere before, but now as I even write, I realize I have a love for inspiring dreams. I also love to chat so why not? I would do that free of cost too. Soo many things I have discovered from this venture.

But wait, there's more. I got a bonus yesterday while auditing my last staff member for the day. A celebrity was right outside who decided to stop by Sovreign and take pictures with people. Of course, always a grabber of opportunities, I made my way outside and took a picture with him also. I have never been so 'lucky' to see a celebrity and touch them before. Could this be a sign too?? I don't mind being in the spotlight. Could this even be a perk of auditing? Well that would be a bonus, and if not, then I'm not even worried.

Here is the picture that I snagged.

My group has started our audit!!

Practical exercises really help to teach us if not reenforce us! We have learnt about communication audits, I have read about it. But I still did not quite understand it. My group JSS Audit Consultancy Ltd, comprising of Shakira, Judi and me, started our audit on Wednesday Feb 29. We visited our company to be audited, Ammar's, Sovereign. We came with our questionnaires and papers but even then we were only adequately prepared, not as good as we expected because welll... we didn't know what to expect!

But it was such a success. Usually when people hear about auditors they get scared and the whole place is tense! But I don't know what was it about us but they were eager to share and they were not afraid to discuss the problems that arose (which were very few). The staff members were very inviting and enthusiastic about the audit, and the branch manager was really a blessing. She walked around and encouraged us with smiles and engaging conversations about our studies and our plans for the future. 

I learnt a lot about the concept of auditing through the information I received. We were not exactly sure what to look for in their internal communication. We just knew that Ammar's was not doing any intense marketing, especially to the youth, and we wondered why and how were they surviving. Upon asking these questions, we stumbled on a discovery! A discovery soooo big that this audit is going to help them soooo much and may just put Ammar's on the map!! 

There is indeed a problem with their internal communication! We discovered that there was a lack of reciprocity in communication between the branch level (Staff and branch manager) and the senior management level (CEO). Yes, through our interviews, we learnt that there was no mutual action, influence, giving and taking, correspondence, etc., between the two parties. This tiny issue has major consequences for the company and could be hindering great success and may even negatively affect the staff members whose voice remain ignored. 

Apart from identifying problems, through our sudden close relationships with the staff, we are motivated to make sure it is addressed, especially as we have the capacity to do so. Knowing that we could be able to not only form a bridge between the workers but in so doing, improve a business drastically, was absolutely satisfying! I have heard audits bring quite a high income, but that was not even in my mind! The feeling that I felt, being able to help these persons to have a better quality of life through a more successful business, warmed my heart. This is something I think I would love to wake up and do, something I would love even if my clients could not afford all I had to offer. I had no idea I was so people- oriented! Here is another gift I have started to unearth. I plan to give my all into this audit and learn all I can. I just may make it a career path. 

Looking forward to working with the team again next week.

--Shauna-K--