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Dilbert’s and Inter-Continental Balistic Dummies!
Social Media in Organizations
Watching an argument unfold and progress on social media networks is often interesting… With that in mind, it was partly amusing but mostly sad, to follow a childlike and somewhat juvenile spat that took place on Facebook over the weekend. To say that dummies were launched from cots with the force of an inter-continental ballistic arsenal would be a massive understatement.
What started out as a bit of social sparing, quickly developed into something of an electronic blood-bath; the speed of which was only impeded by network constraints, and/or the speed at which participants were actually able to type. This inertia was probably only surpassed by the rate at which individuals blocked certain FB profiles from their ‘friends’ lists!
The differences of opinion were (initially) born out of the after effects from recent redundancies at North Yorkshire Police. In particular those pertaining to staff who used to work, or still do work at the Force Control Room. In simple terms, was it right or wrong to have ‘chosen’ to take redundancy and/or, was it right to have (mostly disparaging) opinions about the ’choice’ or ’opportunity’ taken by others? Whether or not there was actually ‘choice’ in the decisions made by many is another story.
But what many fail to do before joining such a malaise is to think before bashing hell out of their keyboard. No gathering of facts, let alone trying to understand any of those ‘facts’ or how they may affect differing individuals, prior to offering up their particular two-penneth of hissy-fit opinion.
As is often the case in opposing opinions, they have a tendency towards mostly individual and personal impacts. There was little cognisance of the important resulting factors i.e. those having a negative impact upon the capability, efficiency, accountability and public perception of the organisation as a whole.
The mostly myopic self-indulgence and self’-flagilation was even more inane and superfluous when you consider; the almost total absence of any comment on the quality (or otherwise) of service delivery. The negative impacts upon officer safety, staff health and welfare issues, the lack of openness and honesty in management and the often corporate manipulation of the media, ultimately resulting in deceit of the general public, all paled to insignificance during the exchange.
I can fully understand the personal impacts upon those now redundant from their previous employment. What I find wholly difficult to comprehend is the blind allegiance and blinkered views displayed by some who remain. The support displayed by some of those staff for their leadership is admirable, but mostly futile and born out of fear and/or stupidity. A total lack of understanding about the bigger picture. The level of allegiance shown is an underlying factor in many of the past organisational failures. The ability to tow the corporate line is to be applauded to a certain extent however; challenge to it is often required but just as often, sadly lacking.
You may be sat in a well paid job for now but be assured, irrespective of all the sunshine blown up your bum by bean counting managers who thrive upon media sound-bite opportunities, you are little more than a number. Much of your current leadership will continue to beat you with the proverbial stick at will. They still operate in a manner responsible for many of the financial problems faced in today’s public sector and, they are actually the ones responsible for so many of those failures within our current policing system.
Next time you spit a dummy out of your cot, try directing it towards those Dilberts who are constantly shafting you in the interests of their own career advancement. Continually rolling over to have your tummy tickled simply exacerbates the problem!
Related articles
- More ‘Bandaid Management’ in policing! (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
- Social Remains in Policing! (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
Wagtails still pecking at the problems?
N.Yorks Police
Once again (25th Aug 11) the North Yorkshire Police media machine has slipped into hot air overdrive to tell us that operation Wagtail cracks down on burglars…
I can’t imagine I’m the only one who finds this piece a little hard to swallow, irrespective of the implied ‘actions’ to combat problems. Especially when you consider there has actually been an “ increase in house burglaries across the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas over recent weeks?
Superintendent Amanda Oliver, the Safer Neighbourhood Commander for the area has said:
“From enquiries we believe the recent increase in house burglaries has been committed by thieves travelling into the area. The message to them is simple – we are watching you and when you are caught we will use every tool available to bring you to justice…” (Supt. Oliver)
I initially mentioned how our Wagtails thrive in sunshine back in April 2011. At that point it appears I may have fuelled the angst of a lady called ‘Lily’ (apparently), she certainly didn’t appear very happy with my viewpoint. In reprimanding me she said; “Probably best to do some research before posting embarrassing content.” With that factor in mind, I’ll do my best not to upset anyone this time around; especially those who are undoubtedly putting a great deal of effort into combating the problem.
Let me start by saying, I can’t imagine for one moment that Supt. Oliver has only just realised; “thieves travelling into the area” is a contributory factor to the increased level of house burglary. I wonder if it’s supposed to make the issue easier for us to accept; “yipee, it wasn’t our bad lads, it was some from over the border.” Is that shout from the locals, or anything similar, a real possibility? I doubt it.
As North Yorkshire is such a vast and rural county, surrounded by sprawling urban conurbations in the West, North and South, this factor has always played a major part in the crime figures of the county. Due to that rural topography, and the limited police resources to cover such a large area, crooks from outside have always looked upon North Yorkshire as a prime venue for their activity. Add to that the predominance of some very affluent inhabitants, often with some highly attractive and valuable easy pickings, and you can surely understand the reasoning behind their love of the area… There is often a much slimmer chance of getting caught red-handed and, its certainly not the scenic views they come for!
Extensive research has shown that; crime statistics only ever show part of the full picture, especially when they relate to ‘perceived’ police performance (see here). In addition, the people I refer to above, sit within my admiration, I hold them in high regard and fully support their endeavours.
The Police officers, Specials & PCSO’s who, through no fault of their own, are often also run ragged in their attempts to meet the demands of crime and other issues in the communities they serve. These people who often face unacceptable levels of personal dangers and/or massive impacts upon their health and personal family life are actually working hard to protect us. However, these resources are already working under a pay freeze and massive changes to their working conditions, which are also set to reduce even further as a result of government austerity measures. The problems surrounding over worked and under valued resources are often compounded by inept management of their deployment.
At this point I would add, just in case Lily is connected with Ms Oliver; this post, along with the previous one, is not aimed at her in particular. However, as the general trait amongst many self-interested senior police managers today is for talking up a good story but failing to deliver the goods; if the cap fits, I suggest she wears it.
As Lily pointed out last time around (and I totally agree); ”the public need to be informed about what the police are doing about crime.” But, as I replied to Lily then and repeat now; any use of the media to promote the actions and work of the police must be based upon fact. For varying reasons, North Yorkshire Police (and other forces), choose to be selective with that truth… With true PR mantra and rhetoric, the process often tends towards painting a rosier picture than is the reality, especially if it helps in reinforcing the agenda of ‘reducing the fear of crime‘, that or some perceived worth of a self-promoting Commander.
Perhaps more credence and value could actually be afforded to the subject matter in this media release if for example, there had been some small mention of any tangible results between April and August? The absence of such information, irrespective of the need to keep any overt/covert operational procedures circumspect and close to the corporate chest, would tend to suggest to the contrary.
I may be totally wrong, indeed I would hope so however; if I have caused further ‘embarrassment I would again ask the question I asked last time… Who should be concerned about the “embarassing content” of my post? Me, the officers involved in the operation, their management or, North Yorkshire Police as an organisation?
More media hype around our social pyjama party?
Jan 27
Posted by Dave Hasney
Image via Wikipedia
Today the BBC reported that a notice has appeared at a social welfare office in Dublin which warns claimants; “pyjamas are not regarded as appropriate attire when attending Community Welfare Service at these offices” (see here).
Two years ago a Primary School Headmaster in Belfast, wrote to parents asking them not to wear pyjamas whilst dropping their kids off at school (see here). In January 2010 a Tesco in Wales asked customers not to shop in their pyjamas (see here) and more recently, in May 2011, a Middlesbrough head teacher asked parents to get properly dressed before the school run (see here). So what’s with this pyjama party thing?
It would seem that wandering around in your night attire during the day is nothing new, at least to some members of our society but one has to wonder; is this apparent love of pyjamas some sort of fashion statement or simply laziness? Further evidence to support the assumption in general that our society is slovenly and really couldn’t care less?
In many respects, the wearing of pyjamas on the school run is simply an opposite polarity of extreme. Does anyone comment or concern themselves with the mother who spends 2-3 hours getting ready for the school run? The “simply couldn’t set off without getting dressed darling” brigade are, in some respects just as bad. Their number is probably just as great as those who really couldn’t give a shit. We have all seen them, the type that couldn’t possibly venture outside without the correct levels of preparation.
They only set off to deposit heir little cherubs for a daily dose of education, once they are convinced all is absolute perfection. They ensure their hair is groomed to excess, their make-up has to be just so and, after carefully selecting the right ‘label’ from their extensive collection of Haute couture, they grab the designer bling handbag and load their be-labeled brats into the Chelsea Tractor.
After the drop off they’re free to shop for the day and “do lunch” with a select group of their effected friends, prior to the daily nuisance of school pick-up at 3.30pm curtailing their activities. You can hear them all on their pink bejazzled iPhones outside the school gate; ”don’t know if I can manage the gym today hon, I need to get to BJ’s coiffure before hitting the town tonight with Hollie-Jo darling. What? Monday? No sorry babes, have to fit my nails in after the sauna and doing lunch with Jessie. I’ll check my sched for next week, laters Mwwwwh!”
Can’t say that I’m particularly keen on either extreme however; as extremes appear to be the the way of our society today, and mostly out way middle of the road normality, I suppose I’ll just have to ignore them!
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Posted in Media Watch, Our Society, Welfare State
3 Comments
Tags: Chavs, Comment, Culture, Pajamas