Cross cultural management - International Teams Essay

Cross cultural management - International Teams - Essay Example during the conversation means that the person who is speaking is confident and knows what he is talking about; while in others such as in Japan, it is considered as showing disrespect and eye contact is avoided during business meetings. Hence, it becomes important for the companies to understand the dynamics of culture, ethics and communication in different work settings. According to Keogh (2012), the international teams or multicultural teams vary and they need to take account of four important factors to ensure that the team progresses in the right direction i.e. purpose of the team’s existence, degree of personality differences influence, role and impact of both professional and cultural identities and degree emotional intelligence’s importance alongwith the appropriate supporting systems. From the studies of Taras and Rowney (2011), it is evident that the teams need to first understand the dynamics of the international teams and decide on a common goal. The team needs to understand the purpose of its existence so that every member has fair idea about their role and also the norms and culture of the team as well. The communication medium and interaction activities must be decided on a consensus way so that the teams can have effective communication and everyone has clear understanding about the team’s objectives alongwith the direction. One of the most effective ways of managing the cross-culture problem among the groups is that the team member should meet frequently so that all of them have cordial relations with each other and the rules of the team are set with utmost ease. Everything for the team must be described in a written form so that each member has a proof that they are part of the team and are aware of the milestones and the goals that are to be met by the team. The most common problem found in the international teams is that they have certain set of preferences for their work and rewards and therefore, they hesitate to move out of that

Seductive Powers of Women in the Medieval Era Essay Example for Free

Seductive Powers of Women in the Medieval Era Essay Women of the medieval genre employed sexual prowess to manipulate and gain control of their men. This was their only means of power in an otherwise powerless role as a female. Chaucer and de France portray in their poems the female’s struggle for power and dominance in relationships and the use of sexuality to achieve that goal. The Wife of Bath’s Prologue exploits a woman’s endeavor for power over men and the wicked measures she employs. The wife, the protagonist of The Wife of Bath’s Prologue, bragged of her successful manipulation resulting in having had five husbands. This power of persuasion, also noted in The Canterbury Tales General Prologue, â€Å"Of remedies of love she knew parchaunce, For she coude of that at the olde daunce,† which exclaims the wife’s familiarity with the art of love. (477, 478) The character of the wife used powerful seduction as the main means of manipulation, but she also beguiled them into guilt in order to get what she wanted from them. Ultimately, as depicted in by the wife’s own admission, â€Å"Namely abedde hadden they meschaunce, Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (403,404), it was in the bedroom where she wielded her best feats, teasing them and refusing to bring them to sexual satisfaction until they promised to give into her plea for money- a cunning way in which she made her men submissive. Chaucer depicts the wife as a feminist character who is debauching in one sense, yet she contradicts that very essence by only having sex with her husbands when she wanted money from them. Ironically, she confesses to being the fondest of, and loving only her fifth husband, whom she could not control. The fifth husband, some 20 years younger, satirically reverses roles of the wife and her previous husbands by using the same manipulative schemes on her that she previously used on other men. Husband number five dominates the wife and alludes to her that he is aware of her wicked ways by reading to her from a book of stories of the most wicked, deceitful wives in history. Even though husband number five demonstrated more control over her than any of her previous husbands, she still managed to use her sexual talents to convince him to sign over his estate to her. Not only did Chaucer suggest the use of sexual temptations as tools for women used to obtain power in their domain, Marie de France also hinted to a similar use of sexuality in Lanval. de France’s Lanval depicts analogous use of beauty and sexuality by the queen as she seduced the protagonist, Lanval. Lanval was the object of a different seductress, one with the power of royalty. The queen used words of love along with her beauty and body to manipulate and seduce Lanval, evoking the pathos of love in him. Because of her position as queen, she demanded secrecy of her adulterous affair, which served as her means of control over Lanval. He had no choice but to agree to her demand of silence if he desired more favors from her. He eventually rejected her, which in turn infuriated her, therefore subjecting him to her bitter wrath as she sought to ruin him in an attempt to lessen the pain of rejection. In this poem the seductress doesn’t desire money, for she had all that she needed, but nonetheless she used her sexuality to obtain her desire, which is in this case was sex with Lanval. Sweet seduction manifested by soft-spoken, sweet words of love along with lust for the female body have lured men into the manipulative ways of women for centuries. Women have sought the dominance they so desired over their men with the only means of power they’ve had – and with much success. The works of Chaucer and deFrances illustrate the desire women have had for power throughout the ages.

Elderly Care: Cultural Influences and Promoting Positivity

Elderly Care: Cultural Influences and Promoting Positivity Care of the Older Person Introduction In this assignment the learner is required to investigate on the topic based on life after employment for the older person in Cameroon and write a project that covers the following areas. The role of carer/organisation in promoting positive attitudes to ageing and retirement, ethnic and cultural influences in retirement, health and therapeutic interventions that enhances life for person after retirement and how family members can be included in caring for the older person. All the information in this project is obtain from the internet, articles and books. The Role of Carer/Organisation in Promoting Positive attitudes to ageing and retirement In Cameroon one of the organisations that promote positive ageing is Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance (CDVTA). CDVTA is a legally registered community development charity in Cameroon that helps the elderly realize their rights, live in dignity and improve their livelihoods. They have created elderly clubs at the rural/community level to encourage the older people get involved in activities such as rearing, beekeeping, soap making and medical plant production. They also support the elderly to feel more included and cared by the community through active club membership, regular home-visits and integrating with their families. They help to raise living standards in areas where no other government support exists by providing volunteers who assist the elderly in personal hygiene and household works. The elderly are also empowered to attain improved standards of living. Ref: CDVTA Cameroon, 2012. The Regional Centre for the Welfare of Aging Persons (RECEWAPEC) is a humanitarian organisation that works for the welfare of older people in Cameroon. They encouraged older people to be involved in activities such as pigs breeding, farming bees, cultivating mushrooms and bee farming. They also support older people’s eye care projects and reach older people and families affected by HIV and AIDS. They help the elderly claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty so they can live dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. Ref:HelpAge International, 2012. Ethnic Cultural influences on the Older Person In Relation to Retirement Cameroon has approximately 1.2milion of seniors aged over 60 years living more in rural areas than urban areas. In Cameroon the retirement age is 60-65. Cameroon does not have a national pension policy that covers all workers. Only those who have worked for the civil service or in other formally recognized sectors receive a pension or any kind of government support. Many in retirement still struggle. It takes a lot of time, money and bureaucracy to set up a pension plan and some people die before receiving their payments. People who have worked all their lives in jobs that fall outside the control of the government tend to rely on private pension policies, which are even less reliable. They are the most vulnerable. There is little specific attention paid to the issues faced by the ageing generation. There are no government institutions, organizations or healthcare services that specialize in meeting older peoples needs. Indeed, Cameroon has never conducted a national survey to find o ut what the challenges that elderly people face. Many elderly in Cameroon lives in isolation and neglect with little help from their families and communities as there is no specific legislation that protects and promotes the rights of elderly. The elderly in Cameroon are facing different problems depending on whether they live in urban or rural areas. Because of unending movement of the population, older persons living in cities cannot rely on a social network. Although health centers are located in cities, they usually are built in the suburbs several kilometers away. They experience poor living conditions, limited access to healthcare, exclusion from society and decision-making processes. In urban areas, it is particularly bad. Most of them have moved to the countryside as they are not isolated. In Cameroonn older people are abandoned to their self whether in the village or town. They benefit from assistance by families that have kept up some traditional values and offer mutual su pport and some have a small business that pays them what to eat. Ref: globaldevelopment, 2015. How Health Promotion Therapeutic Interventions can Enhance Quality of Life. Health promotion enhances quality of life for retired elderly people in many ways. It improves the body function, longevity, it promotes their general and emotional wellbeing, it makes older people to feel good and helps to identify health-related problems. In older people it important to promote a healthy attitude towards the following aspects healthy eating, exercise and voluntary work. In Cameroon the majority of retired elderly people have gardens and small farms where they cultivate food stuff. This enables them to eat healthy fresh food everyday and to have healthy options of food provided in different ways. The elderly people in Cameroon are very active. They get involve in cultural activities, excursions, farming, dancing groups, rearing, beekeeping, soap making. Majority of them don’t drive so they walk to their farms, around the community visiting families and friends. This keeps them flexible and creates less chance of developing anxiety/ depression. The elderly pla y a very important role in the Cameroon culture. Some of them volunteer to take care of babies and accompany children to school if they are still strong most become institutions because they engage to transmit local cultures and knowledge to the younger generation, play a vital role in conflict resolution and peacemaking and some act as advisers and supervisors to some organisation and government. Due to the role they play in the society this ensure a good life, makes them feel useful and gives them something to do so they do not feel lonely thus longer life expectancy. Therapeutic interventions that can improve the quality of life of elderly people in Cameroon include njangi groups, old person’s social clubs and church groups. This helps the elderly to have access to a group of people of their age, enjoy conversation, dance and make new friends. Therefore promote mental stimulation and encouraged mobility, keeps them active and involved, helps to overcome poverty, makes them feel valued members of the community and improves their mental and physical health. Ref: Growing old in Cameroon, 2013. Discuss how family members can be included as partners in care for the older person. In Cameroon family ties are intimate and long lasting, so the elderly rely so much on the family for greatest security. Older persons benefit from assistance by families that have keep up some traditional values and offer mutual support. Care is provided only by family members as they are required to take care of their parents. Because there are no nursing homes or elderly care facilities in Cameroon parents have traditionally lived with their children or extended family members. Caring for the elderly by their family members are common phenomenon and important values in both the rural and urban areas in Cameroon. Most often these elderly persons reside in rural areas and are engaged in subsistence farming activities. When they are frail and are not able to carry on the farming activities one the children either the eldest or the wealthiest in the family takes his or her parent to live with and takes the responsibility providing assistance to them, assist them with their activities o f daily living such as bathing, feeding, cooking their meals and toileting and providing their needs such as clothing, food, shelter, health and money. Family’s members are also responsible for the medical cost of the older person. Women have a very strong family ties and therefore are very committed in helping their parents. This ensures a good livelihood to the elderly and as an obligation of the able child to take care of his/her parents. Ref: Growing old in Cameroon, 2013. Conclusion Life after retirement in Cameroon is more difficult as compare to Ireland. This is due to the fact that there are a lot of facilities in Ireland such as nursing homes, social welfare services and medical facilities as compare to Cameroon. Reference List CDVTA Cameroon, 2012. globaldevelopment, 2015. Growing old in Cameroon, 2013. HelpAge International, 2012. 5M4339[Type text]John Mbeng Tagni

Mary J. Blige †The Magic of Share My World :: Music

Mary J. Blige – The Magic of Share My World Every explorer names his island Formosa, beautiful. To him it is beautiful because, being first, he has access to it and can see it for what it is. But to no one else is it ever as beautiful- except the rare man who manages to recover it, who knows that it has to be recovered.   -Walker Percy, The Loss of the Creature An island. Hmmm, my island. My island on which I will do nothing but sit and admire the beauty and serenity of nature at work around me. A catch. One disc. One piece of music so wonderful, so captivating, that I will listen to it for hours upon end. My disc will signify life- and love. It will be a window to the complex world of who I am. To me it will represent who, and what, I have left behind: the things which I value and care deeply about. In my life, that it is love. Above all else, love is what makes my world go 'round. Joy, anticipation, excitement, longing, sadness, and pain: I want to be able to experience these essential feelings until the day I die. Hardships and bliss alike. It sounds impossible, I know. But there is a disc. There is an artist who captures all of this and a little more in her music. Should I be left on a desert island, Mary J. Blige and her album Share My World are what I would choose to take with me. Stand on my shoulders for a little while. See Mary J. through my untrained, childish eyes. Let her be discovered by you, vicariously through me. I was probably only twelve years old when it started, a time when bike riding and rolling your jeans were the "cool" thing to do. I was at an impressionable age, and I was trying to grow up. I wanted to be just like all the high school girls who went racing through my neighborhood in their sporty little cars, music blaring from the windows. On that particular afternoon, I was sitting in the grass next to my mailbox waiting for my friend in the next neighborhood to ride over. I heard the bass first. I didn't see anything yet- but I heard, far off, a distinct beat. I liked it already. As the noise got closer, I realized it was a song. Mary J. Blige – The Magic of Share My World :: Music Mary J. Blige – The Magic of Share My World Every explorer names his island Formosa, beautiful. To him it is beautiful because, being first, he has access to it and can see it for what it is. But to no one else is it ever as beautiful- except the rare man who manages to recover it, who knows that it has to be recovered.   -Walker Percy, The Loss of the Creature An island. Hmmm, my island. My island on which I will do nothing but sit and admire the beauty and serenity of nature at work around me. A catch. One disc. One piece of music so wonderful, so captivating, that I will listen to it for hours upon end. My disc will signify life- and love. It will be a window to the complex world of who I am. To me it will represent who, and what, I have left behind: the things which I value and care deeply about. In my life, that it is love. Above all else, love is what makes my world go 'round. Joy, anticipation, excitement, longing, sadness, and pain: I want to be able to experience these essential feelings until the day I die. Hardships and bliss alike. It sounds impossible, I know. But there is a disc. There is an artist who captures all of this and a little more in her music. Should I be left on a desert island, Mary J. Blige and her album Share My World are what I would choose to take with me. Stand on my shoulders for a little while. See Mary J. through my untrained, childish eyes. Let her be discovered by you, vicariously through me. I was probably only twelve years old when it started, a time when bike riding and rolling your jeans were the "cool" thing to do. I was at an impressionable age, and I was trying to grow up. I wanted to be just like all the high school girls who went racing through my neighborhood in their sporty little cars, music blaring from the windows. On that particular afternoon, I was sitting in the grass next to my mailbox waiting for my friend in the next neighborhood to ride over. I heard the bass first. I didn't see anything yet- but I heard, far off, a distinct beat. I liked it already. As the noise got closer, I realized it was a song.

Notes on Frankeinstein

How much sympathy does the writer make the reader have for Victor Frankincense? How does she do this? The reader often feels ambivalent towards Victor. The traits that make him a powerful and admirable figure are the same ones that lead to his ruin. His self-contradictions become more frequent as his problems get bigger. Our Initial sympathy alters radically once we meet the monster (Victor should feel more remorse for abandoning the monster: his duty to family and humanity should have deed to him helping) but we should not underestimate the foulness of Williams murder.His death is tragic and he dies hoping that another man may succeed where he has failed. Shelley uses irony to help the reader take a critical attitude by using twists In the tale so that Victor's responses develop him Into a complex and realistic figure. 2. Examine the differences between the male and female characters. What does this tell us about the context? The women are portrayed as virtuous; Caroline Breakout's kindness towards the poor, her adoption of Elizabeth, the orphans Elizabeth, Justine ND Margaret act as surrogate mothers, Ghats and Sane show gentleness and kindness towards Delayed and Felix.The fathers unlike the mothers, fall in their parental role. The fathers of Clerical, Walton and Safe try to stop their children pursuing their interests. Allophones tyrannical behavior mirrors Victor's attitude to the monster. Women's roles at the time were entirely domestic, with assertive behavior seen as ‘unfeminine'. Men had control over women both morally and legally but women were believed to have a duty to bring the finer virtues to a man's fife particularly through marriage. Trench of women seen In their dialogue, reflecting their beliefs and attitude. Put into supporting roles (as was the reality of their situation) Women's role in creating life is diminished. 3. Trace the development of the relationship between the monster and Frankincense briefly. Does this help direct the re ader's emotions towards each? The monster is made from many people's parts. 4. How does Shelley use locations and weather to enhance our understanding of the novel? There are indoor and outdoor settings.Indoor settings are symbols of mental as well as physical imprisonment. Most outdoor scenes are barren, wild, or desolate. They often symbolism the separation of a character from his fellow beings. Journeys form a pattern. The monster keeps returning to meet Frankincense, a haunting feeling. Victor travels away from his family and returns with new pressures. 5. In what ways is Frankincense a book of emotions and the imagination? Imagination Is the living power and the primary agent of all human perception.Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The Romantics believed that art should have themes of great magnitude which could arouse emotional exhilaration in the audience. Frankincense belongs to 1 OFF stormy and dark settings, satanic imagery and themes of revenge and pursuit. 6. How reliable is Fra nkincense as a storyteller? Is he biased (duh! ) Victor feels himself to be a victim yet partially aware that his ‘mad scheme' is also to blame. 7. How does the way the story told, with three narrators, affect the way the reader sees the novel?We are introduced to the characteristics, desires and values of the narrators o we see things from their perspective but we can also question their character. The Chinese box narrative allows us to go deeper into the story as each narrative lets us know more about the different perspective, even if they are biased. This techniques has an effect on our feelings – we change our emotions towards each character as we meet each and have divided sympathies in the final section. There are contrasts and parallels in language, characters and settings. 8. How responsible is Frankincense for his own downfall?

Jazz Concert Reflection Essay

Jazz is a musical style that began in African American communities in the southern United States around the beginning of the twentieth century. It was a new style of music that brought together music traditions from West Africa and Europe. Some of its West African musical influences give jazz its unique sound. Jazz has many different elements, which are improvisations, swinging, using blue notes, and combining different rhythms. I attended The Bill and Helen Murray Jazz Residency Program featured Ellery Eskelin on the Saxophone with Susan Acorn on the pedal steel guitar and Michael Formanek on the acoustic bass and The Towson University Jazz Faculty Ensemble Featuring Dave Balloy on the trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet, Jim Mc falls on the trombone and baritone, Tim Murphy on the piano, Jeff Reed on the bass and last but not least, Frank Russo on the drums and cymbals. At each concert about four songs were performed. The musical elements in both performances that classify the music I heard as jazz were the swing rhythms and improvisations. The Jazz Residency Program was based on improvisations. Each player at this concert; had the ability to instantaneously compose, revise and perform their parts amazingly. As Ellery played the Sax, Susan and Michael played their instrument spontaneously creating fresh melodies. At the Jazz Faculty ensemble, the musicians played songs that were previously written. Their musical styles were mostly bebop and swing with lots of call and respond. Jim Mc falls would play his trombone and all group members would follow after him. The song â€Å"Moodly† sounded like bebop, because there were a lot of bass drum bombs and tonal clashes. â€Å"Marsch der freien Sound Fur Funf Instrumente† was also a bebop song that was played with extended harmonies and tonal clashes. Some of the non-traditional jazz elements that I heard were played at both of the Jazz Concerts. Susan Acorn played the pedal steel  guitar, which I found to be a non-traditional element. The sound was completely different from what I had ever heard before. At the Jazz Faculty Ensemble, Dave Ballou played the Piccolo Trumpet for the last piece â€Å"Conversion†. The high-pitched sound made the song slur and blend with soft melodies. Listening to each concert, gave me two totally different experiences. The Jazz Residency concert was all improvisations, so it didn’t remind me of any of the music I had heard before. The Jazz Faculty ensemble was a reminder of music styles like Art Tatum, John Coltrane, and Duke Ellington. When they played Hamster in a bucket it’s reminded me of â€Å"In a Mellotone† by Duke Ellinton. Then Dave Ballou played the trumpet in the song â€Å"Cry Baby† like Miles Davis played the trumpet in the song â€Å"So What†. In conclusion, the quality of both performances was outstanding. Each performance was completely different and that’s what I loved. The jazz residency program was completely improvised, leaving me opened and surprised at every note each player chose to play. The Jazz Faculty Ensemble’s songs had a distinctive vibe. They made the sounds of their music come together and I felt the rhythm. I would defiantly pay to see each performance again. I left the concerts smiling, because I felt as if I knew exactly what they were trying to accomplish with their music. The two ensembles I attended featured some of the most talented musicians I ever heard performing at Towson University.