Page 41 - Communication in Organizations Basic Skills and Conversation Models

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Interviewing

Practical example

Once a fortnight a management meeting takes place at Dinner Ltd. The following people
are present: Managing Director, Freddy Fortune; Commercial Director, Gerald Glass;
Chef, Bert Berman; Assistant Chef, Dan Diamond; F&B Manager, Harry Haddock;
Assistant F&B Manager, Carl Campbell; Head of Finance and Administration, Charlotte
Cohen; Secretary, Jenny Jacobson. At the last session it had been decided that the
possibilities for partial automation of the menu prices and menu planning would be
investigated. It would be possible to automate the planning of menus that did not differ
too much.
Both positive and negative aspects were involved in this implementation. The first
positive aspect is that the application of standard programs often used in hotel chains
would enable them to work faster and thus more efficiently. The computer could replace
the manual planning of a standard menu. A second positive aspect is that by
implementing computer standard planning, more time will be available for the specific
custom-made menus, such as menu planning for theme parties. Negative aspects are that
implementation costs are high and employees would have to be retrained. The retraining
would probably be met with opposition. Harry Haddock expects that his headwaiters will
not be thrilled to exchange pen and paper for a computer. He proposes to the meeting that
conversations should be held with all the employees in his department in order to find out
what their thoughts are about automation in general and what they see as possible tasks
that could be eliminated. His proposition is accepted. Harry goes ahead with preparations
for the interviews.

Introduction

The interview can be used to find out people’s opinions. Systematic handling of the
interview procedure has as its goal to obtain information on a previously determined
subject. Three types of interview can be distinguished: the open interview, the semi-
structured interview, the standardized interview (see Keats, 2000).