ORG COMM 250: social network of learning

They placed the employees
into a social network of learning—
"from the get-go".

This week in my Organizational Communication course: assimilation.

ByBobBarrett
legalBob.com

This concept is much more inspirational than that.

I enjoyed this week’s theme, well, once I started getting it. At first I was not sure what assimilation was, however, after reading the examples and the diagrams I became impressed with its logic.

Assimilation is the process of incorporating new employees into the organization. Not by throwing them into practice seminars, or prolonged meetings. This concept is much more inspirational than that.

With all my working experiences, I realized that I learned the most when fellow coworkers involved were all part of the learning process.

Periodic partner switching.

I enjoyed a statement said by one of the other students—whose name was Jonathon—his story was about his mission service. He said trainers have a vital role in assimilating trainees into the work.

I would include that what makes missions providential is the periodic companion switching. This builds a greater social learning process within the mission.

Make new friends within the company—not to teach them.

I enjoyed a story about Capital One. The company had a systematic way of flying new employees out to a convention.

Their primary purpose was to let them make new friends within the company—not to teach them. This enabled them to learn from the ones who know the subject best, who know what matters now, and who can assist in verifying appropriate methods. 

I felt the most prominent part of their assimilation of new employees was that they placed the employees into a social network of learning right from the get go. This to me sounds pretty reasonable.

No one within 20 miles to help me.

My first encounter with assimilation’ per-say was backwards. My first time working for Mitch & Harris Construction was exhausting.

The night before, I finished working my last shift at Broulims grocery store. The day before, I had a busy school and homework schedule. I had been without sleep for 26 hours, and my first job as a construction worker was to tar the frame of a small building—do not ask me why.

This project was taxing, and there was no one within 20 miles to help me. I rubbed hot tar for 8 hours—alone.

When the sun started to fall below the horizon, my boss returned to evaluate my work… Yea, he threatened not to pay me.

“Do you have any idea what you are doing?” said Mitch.

That night I slept for 16 hours. Placed this matter in the, “how not to incorporate a new employee” category.

Some of the most artful tricks

My favorite example of assimilation is the web among sales rep of a door to door company. My experience with summer sales felt comfortable with this socialization process.

Every morning the managers would have the reps practice role-playing their deceptive sales tactics. This was quite successful. However, it was not the most effective learning tool.

What made a masterly sales rep was the one who learned from the other employees outside of the meetings.

Some of the most artful tricks I’ve learned were from watching experienced sales reps in live action with potential customers.

I could do anything

Assimilation also occurs early on in age, also known as, anticipatory socialization. I was fortunate to attend a prestigious art high school. They instilled in me the idea that I could do anything in the careers of art.

When I was on an LDS 2 year service in southern Mississippi, I met a few different artists. They were poor, inconsistent, and unstable. These experiences where...well let us say I no longer maintain this need to be an artist.