Managing Media Managing Media Services: Services: Theory Theory

and Practiceand PracticeWilliam D. SchmidtWilliam D. Schmidt

Donald Arthur RieckDonald Arthur RieckChapter 2 Chapter 2

Philosophical PerspectivesPhilosophical Perspectives

ETEC 579ETEC 579Dr. Jason Lee DavisDr. Jason Lee Davis

Adapted from a presentation by Adapted from a presentation by Stephanie CreanStephanie Crean

ObjectivesObjectives Describe how a personal Describe how a personal

philosophy can be useful.philosophy can be useful. Describe steps to creating your Describe steps to creating your

own philosophy, and what traits own philosophy, and what traits you would want to include.you would want to include.

Develop your own philosophical Develop your own philosophical foundation.foundation.

Describe key elements of a Describe key elements of a philosophy.philosophy.

Why have a Why have a philosophy?philosophy?

"If you don't know "If you don't know where you are where you are

coming from, how coming from, how can you lead and can you lead and

manage the manage the activities of others?" activities of others?"

Other benefits to having Other benefits to having your own philosophy…your own philosophy…

Consistent Consistent decisionsdecisions

Clear set of valuesClear set of values People have more People have more

faith in a strong faith in a strong vision than in vision than in conventional conventional wisdomwisdom

How detailed does this How detailed does this need to be?need to be?

Needs to be brief!Needs to be brief! Needs to allow for Needs to allow for

modification!modification! Should be a guide Should be a guide

to help you set to help you set policies that policies that concern you, your concern you, your boss, your clients, boss, your clients, and staff.and staff.

An example…An example… (The “Freedom” (The “Freedom” Philosophy)Philosophy)

““Is life so dear, or peace so Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may not what course others may take, but as for me, give me take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “liberty or give me death! “

Patrick Henry, 1765Patrick Henry, 1765

The “Freedom” The “Freedom” PhilosophyPhilosophy

Currently Currently manifested as manifested as the the ConstitutionConstitution

Constantly Constantly changingchanging

We live by We live by many many

philosophies!philosophies!

Developing your own philoDeveloping your own philosophysophy

…problem solving approach…problem solving approachIdentify each problem as it Identify each problem as it occurs as precisely as occurs as precisely as possible and write it down;possible and write it down;

Note in outline form the Note in outline form the major guiding philosophy of major guiding philosophy of the company or institution the company or institution for which you work;for which you work;

Developing your own philDeveloping your own philosophyosophy

(continued)(continued)Determine what your Determine what your personal philosophy is and personal philosophy is and how it relates to the how it relates to the institution's philosophy;institution's philosophy;

Specify the mission of your Specify the mission of your unit and how it relates to the unit and how it relates to the mission of the institution.mission of the institution.

Diamond in the rough?Diamond in the rough?

Just as a cut diamond, a Just as a cut diamond, a philosophy has many facets.philosophy has many facets.

An appropriate philosophy An appropriate philosophy generally evolves in generally evolves in consideration of the consideration of the elements of the elements of the philosophical tenetsphilosophical tenets……

Tenet Number OneTenet Number One

Knowledge precedes Knowledge precedes actionaction““She knows her stuff”She knows her stuff”““Be prepared”/”plan ahead”Be prepared”/”plan ahead”Don’t learn AFTER you Don’t learn AFTER you needed to know it!needed to know it!

Tenet Number TwoTenet Number TwoBe proactiveBe proactive

Ready to take actionReady to take actionAnticipate the futureAnticipate the futureExpect “anything”Expect “anything”Don’t try to see too far ahead…Don’t try to see too far ahead…Also be reactive in matters Also be reactive in matters requiring an urgent and timely requiring an urgent and timely response.response.

Tenet Number ThreeTenet Number Three

Never look back!Never look back!If you gave it your best If you gave it your best shot, just move ahead.shot, just move ahead.

If a cause is lost, drop it If a cause is lost, drop it and move on, without and move on, without regrets.regrets.

Additional Tenets…Additional Tenets…

4. Do not avoid or put off difficult 4. Do not avoid or put off difficult decisions!decisions!

5. Communicate clearly with people 5. Communicate clearly with people above above and below, but keep it simple,and below, but keep it simple,

6. Listen, listen, and listen some 6. Listen, listen, and listen some more,more,

7. Involve Staff,7. Involve Staff, ... Stretch yourself, delegate ... Stretch yourself, delegate

thoughtfully.thoughtfully.

If an employee If an employee can’t agree with can’t agree with the philosophy, the philosophy, they probably they probably won’t be won’t be comfortable in comfortable in the institution the institution that developed that developed it.it.

……Move along. Move along. Nothing to see Nothing to see here.here.

FinisFinis