Women, Peace and Security - Amanda and Quinn NATO project

Women, Peace and Security

Chapter 3 Final Slideshow Assignment

Chapter 3 Assessment Presentation

Communications in The Business World

Presentation:

 Communications Around The World

Socially Responsible Companies

Understand and Contrast the different influence cultures have on business

Understanding cultural differences and overcoming language barriers are some of the considerations people should have when dealing with business with people of various cultures. Often business deals are lost because the parties involved did not take the time to learn about their each others' cultures prior to interacting.
In some countries, like the United States and Germany, it is common for people to speak loudly and be more assertive or aggressive when sharing ideas or giving direction. In countries like Japan, people typically speak softly and are more passive about sharing ideas or making suggestions.

Hong Kong 

Manufacturing in Hong Kong consists of mainly light and labor-intensive industries.In the 1970's, Hong Kong's factories increased from 16,500 to 22,200. The number of workers increased from 549,000 to 871,000. The value of domestic exports increased from $1,234,700,000 to $5,591,200,000, and increased by 18.18% every year. The Hong Kong statutory minimum wage for non-domestic workers is HK$32.5 (~US$4.19) per hour, effective 1 May 2015. Although, it is not guaranteed that these wages are enforced. 

United States 

In the most recent data, manufacturers contributed $2.17 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2015. For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.81 is added to the economy. The vast majority of manufacturing firms in the United States are quite small. There are currently 12.3 million manufacturing workers in the United States, accounting for 9 percent of the workforce. Over the next decade, nearly 3½ million manufacturing jobs will likely be needed, and 2 million are expected to go unfilled due to the skills gap.Over the past 25 years, U.S.-manufactured goods exports have quadrupled. Wages in Manufacturing in the United States increased to 20.59 USD/Hour in September from 20.47 USD/Hour in August of 2016. 

Compare productivity with happiness
A recent study by economists at the University of Warwick found that happiness led to a 12% spike in productivity, while unhappy workers proved 10% less productive. As the research team put it, "We find that human happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity. Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings." 
Professor Andrew Oswald, one of three researchers who led the study, said companies that invest in employee support and satisfaction tend to succeed in generating happier workers. At Google, employee satisfaction rose 37% as a result of those initiatives—suggesting that financial incentives aren't enough to make for highly productive employees. 

Socially Responsible Company 

SurveyMonkey 

SurveyMonkey is best known for its easy-to-use survey creation software, but the company's nationwide survey service, Audience, was created as a way to give back to deserving causes across the country. Instead of offering cash and prizes to survey takers, SurveyMonkey donates 50 cents per survey completion to the taker's charity of choice. In 2013, the company donated more than $1 million to organizations such as the Humane Society, Boys & Girls Club of America, and Teach for America.

International business Blunder Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10zRYtaOZDir8P56xZAWuZbVNI5nH-znkRrr7icokJmk

Greeting Customs Around the World

Japan:

• Bowing is extremely important in Japan
• back straight and your hands at the side
• Don't maintain eye contact
• Women often hold their hands clasped in the front
• The longer and deeper the bow, the more respect that is shown
• Business cards are called 'meishi' 
• carry your cards in a nice case
• The quality and condition of your business card speaks much about how you intend to conduct yourself and business.
• When receiving a business card, thank the other person and bow slightly as you take it
• Examine the card closely with respect
• The worst thing you can do is put a persons business card in your pocket infront of them
• One rule to remember when entering a home or sitting area is to always remove your shoes
• A wooden threshold will indicate where you should remove your outside shoes
• Place your shoes on the provided rack or off to the side.
• Bare feet are rarely acceptable. If you wear sandals, bring a small pair of white socks with you for wearing so that your bare feet do not touch the provided slippers

France: 

• Gift Giving 
• If you are invited to a French home, consider it a rare honor. Bring flowers, quality chocolates or liqueur for the host, and present your gift before the entertaining proceeds.
• Flowers should be sent in advance 
• A bouquet should have an odd number of flowers, but never seven or thirteen.
• Do not take a gift of wine, since the host usually prefers to make the evening’s selection themselves
• Do not offer gifts with your company logo stamped on them (the French consider this vulgar).
• Dress Code
• Dress tends to be on the formal side for both men and women, whether in business or social situations.
• Reflection of your social status and relative success
• Men should wear dark suits, particularly during the winter and when visiting the north
• Never be the first to shed your jacket.
• Women should dress simply and with elegance. A well-tailored business suit or dress is appropriate and good shoes are a must.

Costa Rica: 

• Dress Code
• Men should wear a conservative dark suit. In warmer climates, a jacket is optional. 
• Women can wear a dress or skirt and blouse for formal business meetings, but it is far more common for women to wear pants to work. 
• Costa Ricans are much more formal and serious than other Latin Americans. Therefore, keep jackets on during business meetings
• Behavior 
• Costa Ricans are by far the most punctual people in Central America. North Americans are expected to be on time for appointments.
•  If you are invited for dinner to a home, bring flowers, chocolates, scotch, or wine. Do not bring calla lilies; they are associated with funerals
•  Have business cards, proposals, and other material printed in both English and Spanish
• Communications 
•  Good conversation topics: children, history, art
• Bad topics: any personal criticism, religion
• Politics are freely discussed because of the stability there
• Handshaking the common greeting
• Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos 

South Africa:

• South Africans are very friendly and may express affection openly. You may find an associate slaps you on the back, shakes your hand, or even holds your hand in a sign of friendship.
• It is advisable to offer small gifts to associates, and when invited to a home for dinner, always bring a gift of chocolate, good wine, or similar.
• A woman can prove herself by knowing her subject matter and not being aggressive.
• It is considered rude to point your index finger at anyone
• The 'V' for victory sign is considered lewd
•  Never have a conversation with anyone while keeping your hands in your pockets
• Important to be a 'good listener'
• Be sure to make constant eye contact and nod often to indicate you agree with those you are conversing with
• It is advisable to obtain letters of introduction if you have done business with mutual contacts of the company or businessperson you wish to entreaty.
• A first business meeting should be more about getting to know one another than a strict discussion of business matters. 
• Plan meetings ahead of time 
• Almost everything is shut down during mid-December to mid-January as well as during the week of Easter and most Jewish holidays

Sources:

http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-and-Traditions/a/Japanese-Business-Etiquette.htm

http://businessculture.org/western-europe/business-culture-in-france/business-etiquette-in-france/

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/costa_rica.htm

http://www.expatica.com/za/employment/Business-etiquette-in-South-Africa_105889.html

Theme Parks Around the World

Theme Parks Around the World

TWN - 10/6/16

Countries researched for theme parks, currency and exchange rate:

1. Hong Kong

- 1 Hong Kong Dollar = 0.13 US Dollar

- 1 ticket = HK $539= USD $69.48

2. Germany

- 1 Euro = 1.12 US Dollar

- 1 ticket = €44.50 = $49.67

3. Denmark

- 1 Danish Krone = 0.15 US Dollar

- 1 ticket = 110 DKK = $16.50

Natural Disasters - What I Learned

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (2011) - Quinn

Date: March 11th, 2011

Local Effects: Created about $360 billion in economic damage. The natural disaster destroyed the nuclear industry in Japan. It also raised the national debt which raised prices for most goods in the country.

Infrastructure: 138,000 buildings were destroyed during the natural disasters

Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake - Santi

Date: December 26, 2004

Local Effects: Killed 230,000 people. Affected over 14 countries including India, and Sri Lanka

Infrastructure: $15 Billion in Damaged. Affected local crops and businesses. Caused a downfall in domestic business

Haiti Earthquake

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 M_w earthquake, with an epicenter near the town of Léogâne , approximately 25 kilometers (16 mi) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time  on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded.An estimated three million people were affected by the quake. Death toll estimates range from 100,000 to about 160,000..One out of four civil servants living in the capital were killed. There has been a history of national debt, prejudicial trade policies by other countries, and foreign intervention into national affairs that contributed to the pre-existing poverty and poor housing conditions that exacerbated the death toll. 

The earthquake struck just as Haiti’s economy was just starting to grow again. The U.S. Congress had just approved a hugely beneficial trade agreement. The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act was signed in 2006. The agreement boosted Haiti's apparel industry by allowing duty-free exports to the United States. By 2009, Haiti was the 17th-largest apparel supplier to the United States. Exports had reached $424 million, according to the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Apparel made up more than 90% of Haiti's exports to America.  By 2014, GDP was $18.3 billion in 2014, and grew just 2.3%. That's better than the $12 billion produced in 2008.

The government of Haiti estimated that 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.The earthquake created between $7.8 billion to $8.5 billion in damage.It damaged the main airport, most of the ports, and nearly all the paved roads. It destroyed 106,000 homes and damaged another 188,383 houses. Sixty percent of the city's government buildings, and 80% of its schools were destroyed or damaged. Haiti was already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty percent of the population were under the poverty line and 54% lived in abject poverty. Nearly two-fifths of all Haitians are subsistence farmers. Haiti is especially vulnerable to damage from natural disasters because of deforestation.


Sources:

• http://christianals.com/haiti-earthquake/
• http://haitiearthquake.web.unc.edu/economic-impact-of-the-earthquake/
• https://www.britannica.com/event/Haiti-earthquake-of-2010
• https://www.thebalance.com/haiti-earthquake-facts-damage-effects-on-economy-3305660

Mini Research #1

There are many TV shows that come from across the globe that we may not even realize aren't from the US. After reading the article '32 New TV Shows From Other Countries You Should Be Watching Right Now' from the Huffington Post posted on November 15th, 2015 I realized that many of my favorite shows come from other countries. Overseas television gives us plenty to discover, whether through Netflix, Amazon Instant Video or even YouTube. Among the lengthy list posted in the article you will find shows such as The Returned, Sherlock, The Fall, Prisoners of War, and The Missing. The shows origins range from countries such as the United Kingdom and Denmark all the way to Israel and Canada. 

One of my favorite shows is Downton Abbey . This British drama series follows the lives of the Crawley family and its servants in the family's classic Georgian country house. The series begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, which leaves Downton Abbey's future in jeopardy, since the presumptive heirs of Robert, Earl of Grantham -- his cousin James, and James' son, Patrick -- die in the catastrophe, leaving the family without a male offspring to take over Downton when the current lord dies. The point is important since Lord Grantham's children are daughters -- Ladies Mary, Edith and Sybil, but the facets of their lives and of those of the below-stairs staff -- also a highly regimented world -- have fascinating story lines. The show has recently ended after their sixth season but the legacy of the Grantham's lives on. This is a show my family and I all enjoy watching together.