" My approach to social influence"

02.14.2015                         

“Rhetoric”

   “I have just the fireplace your in search of.”  True statement, since fireplaces come in various styles making a fireplace an option for everyone.  Fireplaces are designed by their performance levels starting with good,  better and best.  I merely present each options leaving the decision to the consumer. 

“Persuasion”

     In my past job I spoke words of persuasion as a means to educate consumers about fireplaces.  My responsibility, present fireplaces by brand and demonstrate the quality of each brand.  This required knowledgeable of the fireplaces I sold and to use persuasive words in order to sell them.   In the fireplace industry you might hear words like; aesthetic, ambiance, glow, radiant, warmth, heat and performance.

     I love people, nice people and not so nice people.  I did not have the liberty to pick and choose my customer in fact at times it was as though the customer chose me.  I enjoy people though each person can bring a challenge by their unique character, trait and manner, whether nice or not so nice.

“Perception”

     I worked in the fireplace and hearth industry for fourteen years.  The first twelve years with a family business.   My position at hire was to perform office duties.  Within months I was offered a promotion that offered me more responsibility of administrative duties and operation of the retail showroom.   I wore many hats; doing tasks in customer service, accounts receivable, accounts payable, receptionist, sales, shipping and receiving, and all other duties as needed…  My twelve years of experience equipped me to represent the company as I gained the trust of my customers. 

     As the economy began to suffer causing financial distress my employer could no longer afford my position. 

  

“Social Influence”

“Authority”

      In the fall I accepted a position with another family owned business in the same industry, a fireplace company that my previous employer advocated on my behalf.  I remember first walking into the showroom as it offered the appeal of bright lighting and intricate fireplaces with cultured stone and marble facades. What I was soon to find out was that appearances are deceiving.

      With the approach of autumn the fireplace industry increases due to cool weather as homeowners repair for the cold of winter.

     Unlike my previous job, this business environment became verbally aggressive, with displays of derogatory insults and buck passing behaviors.   Over the next months three long-standing employees quit.  The months that followed brought new employees that they only lasted a month or two.  This turnover of employees created an escalation of the ongoing behaviors of verbal aggression, derogatory insults and buck passing behaviors.  The environment was out of control.  The individuals responsible for the disruptive behaviors were the family members themselves.   This environment made it hard on everyone.  Why can’t we all work together?  Why can’t all people take responsibility for our own actions? 

    Unethical conduct and stress was dominating my workplace.  I reached a point where enough was enough.  I stayed one day after hours and met with my boss in hope that their was a possible resolution. His response, “My brother needs his job to provide for his family.” 

     I worked with the company for twenty-four long months.  long enough to pay off my car loan. “Everything happens for a reason.”  

-----<>-----

          According to Herbert Kelman the Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Emeritus at Harvard University.  Social influence occurs when one's emotions, opinions, or behaviors are affected by others.[1] Social influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales and marketing.

                                             -----<>-----

   

          

February 14, 2015 is Valentines Day. 

I will share my quote, “One is defined by the genuine condition of their heart.”

                                         ---<>---

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:45 (KJV)