Analyzing a Complex Communication Problem

PBRL 495 H1WW-Public Relations and Communications Capstone

Professor Cara Keithley

Assignment 1-4

Alexis J. Lilly

March 30, 2012

The case study that I chose to conduct my analysis on was Case Study 2: Namaste` Solar. This particular case study examined a solar energy firm that was headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. The CEO, Blake Jones, had been toying with the idea of either selling part of the business or selling the firm altogether. Jones and his partners decided that they would need to recruit long-term employees that were dedicated to the solar energy business in order for the company to flourish. Jones and his partners felt that if they hired employees that would have an opportunity to hold equity in the company it could turn into something big, beyond the mere idea of an investment in the solar energy industry. After recruiting more than fifty-five employees, Jones and his partners started to hold (BPM’s) Big Picture Meetings. According to Lawrence et. al (2010), held weekly, BPMs brought together all employees for a full discussion of the issues facing the company, both large and small. All employees were expected to attend the meetings and actively participate in the discussion. The meetings were more geared towards the internal audience, which are the employees at Namaste’ Solar. Some of the trends in current organizations that may impact existing or cause new organizational communication issues include: technological innovations such as the need for solar energy opposed to electricity. These are certain issues that the company must address before marketing their product. Organizations like Namaste’ Solar must persuade external audiences to believe that their product is the best choice. External factors such as unstable economies make it harder for companies to thrive.