PAR 11 Host: Steven Schwartz

http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2016/04/25/the-most-successful-business-intelligence-programs-provide-self-service-data-says-new-study/#69c938fc3966

This article made me think about the communication audit that we are working on for this class. Interesting to see that according to a survey two-thirds of the of the individuals that responded believe self-service data helps reveal valuable insights. The critical point made stated that “it’s the power of connecting all your people”. In a way it is all about making connections and keeping people engaged in an organization, which is what this class is about.

PAR 10: Host Clint Jewett

http://www.torbenrick.eu/blog/performance-management/organisational-alignment-is-the-glue/

I chose this article as i felt it was a short to the point description of what organizational alignment is.  The article defines organizational alignment as the glue that makes for excellent execution of strategy. The correlation between our text and the article is the strategy, talent, and performance held together by org alignment to achieve desired results. The flow chart depicted in the article is comparable to the 7s diagram, in fact i think it is easier to understand but both are good visuals of organizational alignment.  Besides the authors irritating spelling of "organisational" i thought it was a simple read that gave a broad definition to cover all the facets of organizational alignment.

PAR 9: Host Tasha Piehl

http://work.chron.com/communication-leadership-workplace-14761.html

I think this is a good article to go hand in hand with this weeks chapter 9.  The book focused on ideas of the different kinds of leadership theories.  These included trait leadership, situational leadership, transnational leadership and discursive leadership.  Communication, as we already know, is major key in organizations.  But it's also important to empower your employees and set good examples for them to follow.  A good leader is a role model, gives credit to good work, and being able to commit to working with others around them.