Find Five Errors and Fix Them
Group dynamics Assignment
Although I have never been a victim of a hitchhiker, I have heard from one of my friends how bad hitchhikers can be. Furthermore, the article written by Barbara Oakley has painted a clearer image of how hitchhikers misuse people. In Oakley’s story, a hitchhiker by the name Jack took advantage of the leniency he received from his group members and fully benefitted from their efforts without doing any work. Jack never attended any group meetings, did not return any call any messages and turned in shoddy work every time he was given an assignment. In the end, he also received marks even though he did not do any meaningful work. I would not admit to being a hitchhiker in a group. To avoid the problems caused by hitchhikers, Markel argues in Chapter 3 that they should not be given any opportunity to take advantage of others. Once a hitchhiker has been identified in a group, members should forward his name to the professor and have his name removed from the group. Hitchhikers have a tendency of taking advantage of group members if their behaviors are absorbed. Therefore, hitchhikers should be dealt with as soon as they are found in a group.
Communicating Across Cultures Assignment
Part 1
Communication takes many forms that have been used over the years for decades, more so various factors have been considered when communicating. One of them is the aspect of culture whereby people have different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, and thus when communicating to them it is important to put into consideration this aspect. It is mandatory not to be biased when delivering the relevant message since this may result to some of the repercussions. This often applies in business, and since it is important to consider the customers, then creativity has to be incorporated especially with the use of existing techniques. In this case, considering the two letters, which are addressed to people who are in different countries, and hence they have different cultural background. Question
1
The salutation part of a letter often used to address the recipient, depending on the relationship between the two it tends to vary and hence bringing out different meanings. In the first letter, the director addresses the customer by the name, this clearly some sought of relationship and understanding of the culture. The two are from the United States and due to this then they ought to have the same cultural variables or even understanding. As a result addressing the customer by name shows a friendly approach which is often understood in the United States. The citizens in the US have a friendly approach, which makes them embrace different concepts, and since the company is in America and the customer is also in America then this forms the basis of the cultural understanding through the salutation. On the other hand, the second letter, the marketing director uses sir in the salutation. This portrays several factors; to begin with, it brings out the aspect of respect, since Japan is known to have a strict cultural background. By this, it means that people respect each other and it is mostly shown by bowing, it is part of the culture, and hence it has been followed ever since the ancient days. In this case, it is a letter and therefore bowing is not possible. Thus the only way to bring out the concept of respect is by addressing the recipient in that manner. As a result, it is evident that there is a difference in terms of culture between the two countries. Since Japan is so strict, then disobeying them is unacceptable as it may jeopardize the relationship between the customer and the company. More so the company may end up losing some of the customers.
Question 2 The paragraph is important as it portrays the writer as caring since he hopes that the same pleasant environment is the same in Saitama City where the customer is located. Through this, the writer is trying to make sure that the customer identifies himself with the cultural practices that take place in the US. As a norm in Japan, it is regarded important to know the status of the other person, this is regarded as respectful and acceptable. In the salutation it was clear that it portrays respect, now in this paragraph, the establishing of one's culture is being brought out. By making the customer to identify himself with the cultural practices in the US, then a friendly aspect is brought.
At a normal level, this may be viewed as a way of delaying the discussion but viewing it in another form it is an executive approach, which renders the relationship mutual. More so it brings out the various beliefs that are known to exist, which involve Americans loving their lifestyle and appreciating nature. This is brought out through the aspect of sun and swimming which he hopes that the customer is also enjoying. It serves as a good introduction when it comes to culture related aspects and hence goes beyond delaying the discussion. Question 3 One of the reasons as to why writer informs Mr. Kirisawa about the company is to show that he has interest and more so wants to be part of it. The main purpose of the letter is to convince Mr. Kirisawa to enter into an agreement, which will enable them to advance, the manner in which the writer can achieve this is by showing that he has been following Allied Manufacturing. In addition, it shows that the writer recognizes the reputation it has created and how it has grown to other places. By telling, him about the company the writer shows that she understands what is happening and this gives him the reason to choose the company and not any other.
This paragraph helps him to introduce her company since it provides a common ground on which the two companies are in. That shows that PowerServer 3000 is growing at a faster rate and due to this the company needs new servers. This is the common aspect which the two share and thus through it, the writer can introduce the company and ensure that she will take care of the demand. Additionally, the writer says that she is not surprised by the request of new servers since she believes that her company is the best.
Question 4 Japanese are known to be advanced when it comes to technology; as a result, the third paragraph would seem thin since the United States reader is not able to understand much about servers. This clearly shows the Japanese culture aspect, which makes them be among the leading countries, technological growth in Japan is quite fast and hence the writer did not need to write much about servers. However, in the first letter, which is addressed to a customer in the United States, much about servers is mentioned, and through this, the cultural difference is brought out.
Question 5 As mentioned earlier, the main purpose of the letter is to make sure that the two companies enter into a mutual agreement for them to benefit. Therefore there would be no need to make any sales pitch since it is a two-way aspect, where the two need to come to an agreement. By writing about sales, the writer may portray the company as a greedy company, which is just after money. The two aim at meeting the problems that their respective customers are facing and hence offer a solution. To achieve this the two need each other, and hence there is no fixed company, which can be said to the leader, and thus the aspect of sales is considered irrelevant. Additionally, the two need each other, and thus no aspect of sales is essential, it is a mutual agreement aspect, which needs negotiations and not a sales pitch. Part 2 What went wrong in the Mustang Jeans cultural interaction? Cultural interaction forms the basis of each business, in most cases, it is regarded important to respect the culture of the customer since it may affect the business performance. In this case, Michael was a straightforward person who could not create a good relationship with Norio since he was focused on his culture more than his business. One of the things about Japanese is that they adore their culture to an extent they may end a business contract based on how they are treated. This is what makes Norio put an end to the business interaction since he leaves even before signing the business deal.
Through Michael, it was clear that the cultural interaction of Mustang Jeans was not up to standards; this is through Michael because it was unable to maintain the relationship and complete the deal. Even after the second meeting, Michael does not recognize his mistakes instead he is so formal such that he wants the two to finish the agreement and sign the papers. What suggestions would you give to both men for a better business transaction that respects both cultures?
To maintain the customers, it is important to respect the customers and ensure that the interaction between the two is conducive to both. One of the suggestions would be to become aware of the different cultural backgrounds that people come from. This is essential since it enables them to understand what to do when dealing with other people from different cultures. Additionally, it is important not to be so formal since this may result in the same instance as it happened to Michael. If only Michael agreed with Norio, then he could not have gone to look for other partners, and as a result, the deal would not have been lost.
Cultural differences will always exist since people come from different areas and have different values. However it is essential to respect them since to some of the people they mean much, and as a result, they can be willing to go beyond the normal to maintain them. It is through understanding that the communication form can be enhanced and even the meetings can come to mutual agreements. More so this way the manner in which factors can be conducted will be respected, and as a result, the value will be upheld. In most cases, there is a mutual benefit, and hence the two parties need each other to ensure that the best is attained then it is essential to establish a relation that is built on the basis of respect. In addition, through flexibility, it becomes easier to respect the cultural background of different people. References Guirdham, M. (2011). Communicating across cultures at work. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York: Guilford Press. Reply Reply to Comment
What is Technical Writing
The purpose of this memo is to analyze the usability and the effectiveness of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In my opinion, this application and its documents are clear and concise and well understandable by any applicant who is familiar with the English language. However, this document does not favor non-English – speaking applicants due to its language technicality, poor design for the primary audience that I will discuss below. All these are disadvantageous to the applicant.
Design
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has a concise and professional appearance only understandable by those who possess the English knowledge. Also, the instructions are at the end of the document instead of the top. The application itself does not contain the instructions, but they are in a separate document. It has an effect of bringing in confusion to the applicant if they do not notice the supplement instructions (Georgia, 2013). Making mistakes has adverse effects as it can lead to punishment, as well as financial turmoil, which is the real cause for eviction.
The main purpose of this application as I think is to target the secondary audience considering its stipulated design. These government employees usually are responsible for analyzing information contained in these documents. Through the elimination of instruction and detailed information, such as tables and graphical data from the main page is ideal as it increases the productivity with the employees able to see it in one place and therefore waste lesser time.
Another mistake in the design is the item #13 that is designed to accommodate a place where the applicant can use the computer to fill out the details of their sex and race. These details have a default option that they can only appear when printed. This limits the program’s convenience leading to misinterpretation of the directions. This document instead should be designed in a paper format so that even the low-income applicants who have no access to computers and the Internet can have a chance to apply.
Content
It is my belief that the program can be tailored to accommodate more information to add more items for convenient evaluation of households’ financial situations. For example, they can add items such as tuition expenses, loans listing, and health-care costs. On the other hand, apart from income, several factors such as the working environment are extremely necessary for human experience, and therefore Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare should consider them in their planning endeavors. Furthermore, it is not clear and concise with income terms as it should be. It generalizes by saying that Each LIHEAP grantee sets its income limits and therefore this bring fear for the unknown as well as uncertainty by the applicants.
Language
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is written in a very poor language for its primary audience. Low-income Pennsylvanians who require financial assistance on energy costs are unable to do so because it does not give easy directions for non-English speakers applicants. I have a concise understanding that many people in Pennsylvania do not speak English, and many of them do not speak it as their primary language. It is therefore very unwise for the department of welfare to ignores the fact this fact and therefore acts accordingly by including directions in other languages apart from English or even search for interpreters. Apart from this, although the document clearly states that one can call for assistance, it doesn’t give any address or even a phone number.
Although the site incorporates audio file the audio quality I poor and hard to comprehend and understand. The audio instead should be concise and clear so that the applicant can understand what they are to write and also should coincide with the writings so s to eliminate any confusion that may emanate (The United States & United States, 2008).
Not a single explanation for any item is available in this document. The audience can be at a disadvantage because certain words can be interested in more than two ways. For example, item #5, the household can have more than one meaning; either a family or those living under the same roof. Although the latter is the intended, it is hard to determine and know what is expected. In other instance, the item #7 is unclear to the audience because “send bills or receipts” could mean sending them together with the application or on the other hand send them when the application is approved.
Using a number system makes the usability of the application more confusing. This is evident in section #13. It could rather have used words to indicate ethnicity, citizenship, and race. This item is designed in a way so as to fit use by a secondary audience perfectly and in this case, it is the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare employees who find their work easier. Use of a number system makes it easier for the employees to input data in their computer database. This reduces errors thus bringing clarity that is extremely crucial because false statements from the applicants can lead to their imprisonment.
References
www.acf.hhs (29 January 2017) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/resource/consumer-frquently-asked-questions
United States., & United States. (2008). Low-income home energy assistance program. Washington, D.C: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Office of Family Assistance, Office of Energy Assistance.
Georgia. (2013). Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Atlanta, GA: DHR Office of Communications.
