OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Symbolic Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the symbolic frame
2. Apply the symbolic frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

As stated in the previous module, the situation I will be analyzing is the overhaul and
reconstruction of the mechanized lines in the outbound department. As an area supervisor for
the Home Depot, we went through changing standard practices, a complete warehouse
renovation and the expectations of providing feedback along the way. Throughout this entire
process we had to make sure to provide adequate training to all associates and find a way to
continue to push freight through the building despite the construction.

2) Describe how the symbols of the organization influenced the situation.

The Home Depot has a deep symbolic influence of all things DIY. When people think of
home improvement projects many minds automatically think of The Home Depot as the
source for all materials and direction. Any project that the warehouse underwent, we were
sure to be held to the same level as those who were implementing projects in their own
homes. Throughout the entire construction process our associates began to understand what it
the symbolism meant for the company.

In order to be the best in an industry you must first prepare to be the best. Upgrading our
warehouse was symbolic by showing Home Depot was not only committed to getting
product to the customer in the most efficient way possible but also by embracing the idea of
change is better. Moving forward and realizing that processes must change in order to
remain the top home improvement supply chain. One of the most prolific symbols our
associates observe is making sure our people are taken care of. This symbol goes towards
all of our associates as well as the customers.

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 3) Recommend how you would use organizational symbols for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

An alternative course of action the organization could have taken would have been would
have been to foster collaboration between The Home Depot and the construction company.
Getting some of the associates involved with the project in a small capacity would bring a strong
sense of collaboration between associates and construction workers. While I understand the
safety issues involved with getting associates involved, finding the small tasks that they could
contribute to accomplishing would benefit all parties involved.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

After reviewing this frame, something I would change would be the overall
communication between the construction company and the associates. This was a golden
opportunity to bring two companies together for a great collaboration. One thing I would not
have done differently was take pride and emphasize the project as a whole. Being outspoken
and spreading excitement was a great experience. Being able to see firsthand the improvements
that were being implemented to help not only our customers, but all of our associates was a
great way to get the entire warehouse excited for the new processes.

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 Reference or References