Me______  was born in Vietnam.  When she was 3 years old the family moved out of Vietnam to live in YunNan, China.  She remembers the exceptionally beautiful springs of YunNan, its only season.  For 20 years they called China their home but in _____s heart YunNan will forever be her hometown.  _____.  With some members of her family they decided to migrate to the United States.  They settled in Reno, Nevada except for the times the kids left home to study in other parts of the country.      For a while, ______ moved to New Jersey to live with a brother.  Later she transferred to Los Angeles where she studied English in a school for Chinese adults.  She joined the Job Corps to work her way to an American high school diploma.  Her assignment was in Sierra Nevada so she lived with an aunt and her family who were near.  She got her GED and her high school diploma with honors.  With a high school diploma and scholastic honors, _______ was inspired to pursue a college education at Truckee Meadows Community College where she earned her Associate Arts Degree and again with honors.  She then went to the University of Phoenix where she finished Bachelor of Science in Business Management, earned her double Masters in Business AdministrationAccounting and Masters in Science in Accountancy, all with attendant honors.  Also at the University of Phoenix, she earned her Doctorate in Business Administration.  ______ have since worked for the Sierra Nevada Job Corps, started out as a Clerk of Student Records and was promoted to the position of Senior Student Records Clerk.  Currently she is assigned at the Accounting Department as Clerk of Accounting.      Throughout her academic pursuits and professional career ______ had successfully crossed cultural boundaries to realize her dreams in a land that may initially have been strange but which she had embraced and called home for the last 17 years and still counting.  Working with Job Corps prepared her for a productive life ahead and success which lasts a lifetime.

Communication Strategy

Term 1 Messages and metamessages
What is happening
Abel keeps bragging to his colleagues about how much he misses his mother is. During the parents meeting he does not look pleased to see her. Anderson asks him why.
Dialogue
Anderson How come you did not look happy when you saw your mother
Abel I was
Explanation
Abels attitude can clearly show that he does not look happy to see his mother even though he tries to conceal his anger.
Term 2. Involvement and Independence
What is happening
Andersons friend offers to help him in solving some mathematical problems but he turns the offer down. The friend sees him struggling hard hence insists on helping. He is aware that she is the best performer in mathematics.
Dialogue
Linda May I be of help
Anderson I think I am conversant now, thanks for your help anyway.
Linda Are you sure that you do not need any help.
Anderson Yes, I think I now have a general concept.
Explanation
Anderson really needs help in this area but he is too proud to admit so. He feels that he would rather fail that show her just how poor he is in solving the problems.
Term 3 Information and Politeness
What is happening
Lisa recently lost her friend through a tragic road accident. She tells her classmate about the ordeal. The classmate assures her that he will always be there to help her.
Dialogue
Lisa I still cant believe that Harry is gone.
Geoffrey Im really sorry. Dont you worry you can always count on me for anything.
Lisa No one will ever take his place.
Explanation
Geoffrey means to tell Lisa about how sorry he is about the loss. Lisa does not understand it this way since she believes that he is trying to replace her dead friend.
Term 4 Pacing and pausing
What is happening
Martha is trying to narrate the happenings from a movie she watched the previous night. She takes long pauses between the narrations hence his classmates keep jumping in hence irritating her.
Martha .they were all tired hence they decided to spend the night there
Nancy (Jumps in) did they have a good night sleep
Martha Yes. The night was very peacefuland so were the rest of the nights.
Erick Good story.
Explanation
Martha takes long pauses between the narrations hence his friends are not sure whether she is done narrating. They keep jumping in hence irritating her because she feels distracted.
Term 5 Loudness
What is happening
Velma and Ida are holding a discussion in the library. This is illegal. Velma is talking in low tones while Ida keeps talking in loud tones. Velma feels uncomfortable because other students are staring at them. She attempts to alert Ida but using even lower tones but this does not work.
Dialogue
Velma (low tones) the process can be more effective if a catalyst is used.
Ida (aloud) what is a catalyst
Velma (almost whispering) it is a chemical that can increase the rate of a reaction.
Ida (even louder) an example
Explanation
Velma tries to in low tones so as to show her friend Ida the way she should talk but Ida does not seem to notice.
Term 6 Pitch and intonation
What is happening
Martin a creative arts student wants to be a football commentator during a friendly match in the school. His teacher asks him to assume an audience and report a live match. He does so but in a monotone.
Dialogue
Martin (commentating an imaginary football match) the panthers seem to take the upper hand, Rex Passes to Madsen and he scores a goal.
Teacher You need to vary your tone.
Explanation
Martins failure to put emphasis on the important aspects of the game by varying his tone is what the teacher complains about.
Term 7 Expressive reaction
What is happening
The teacher is trying to explain to the class the reproduction process for the first time. One student gets really amused and starts reacting in a way that the teacher becomes uncomfortable discussing the process. He becomes irritated by this hence asks the students to read the topic o their own.
Dialogue
Teacher the egg and the sperm then meet in a process called fertilization.
Student Wow
Explanation
The teacher does not understand that the student is genuinely amused hence he results to leave the students to research on the subject.
Term 8 Asking questions
What is happening
As professor Grill teacher his philosophy class, he notices that one of his students Lewis has a swollen cheek. Out of concern he decides to ask him what happened. Lewis does not take this kindly since he finds the professor nosy.
Dialogue
Professor Lewis what happened to your cheek
Lewis Nothing serious.
Explanation
Lewis does not view the professors questions as concern driven he therefore decides to tell him that it is not serious so that he can stop questioning him.
Term 9 Ritual complaining
What is happening
Samuel complains to his classmate how hard the exam was. The classmate informs him the exam was easy since the answers to almost all the question were in the notebook.
Dialogue
Samuel The biology exam was too hard, how the teachers can set such a hard exam
Classmate I disagree the exam was fair. The teacher had given us notes that could help in answering the questions.
Explanation
Samuel feels discouraged since he expected his friend to side with him in cursing the teacher for setting a hard exam. The friend however informs him indirectly that if he had read the notes well he could not be complaining.
Term 10 Ritual apology
What is happening
Glen mistakably steps on Marthas white shoes with muddy boats. Martha is very angry since she was all dressed up to attend a party. Glen apologizes to Martha.
Dialogue
Martha How could you Do you know how much time it cost me to clean those shoes.
Glen Im sorry, didnt mean to.
Explanation
Martha does not consider the apology as valid in this situation since it will not compensate for the effort put to clean the shoes or even help to clean them.
Term 11 Setting examples
What is happening
The history teacher tries to assert that many developments have taken place over time. He does not give specific examples that the students can relate to.
Dialogue
Teacher The development level in earlier times was less significant than it is now.
Students what developments are we talking about
Explanation
The teacher is not specific on the type of developments that he is discussing. There are many developments that have been witnessed over time hence the students can understand better if the teacher provided them with examples.
Term12 Indirectness and rapport
What is happening
Jean requests his friend to rend him his rend him his sports shoes so that he can wear them during the football match.
Dialogue
Jean Edward may I borrow your sports shoes
Edward If you want, you can take them.
Explanation
Edward did not really want to rend his shoes to his friend. A response like yes, of course could have proved that he was really willing to give them to him.
Term 13 Frames
What is happening
The literature professor gives his students an assignment. He tells them to write a three page essay of between.880-1000 words. Ezra, one of the students has handwriting with big fonts, he therefore writes a five page essay but within the word limit.
Dialogue
Professor I needed a three page essay but you wrote five.
Ezra Sir, my handwriting has larger a larger font.
Explanation
The professor strictly told the students to write a three page essay. He did not consider that the fonts of the students vary in size.
Term 14 Metacommunicating
What is happening
Jade is afraid that the lecturer will notice that he has copied his friends work. His friend assures him that will not happen since the lecturer has so many papers to mark.
Dialogue
Jade What if he notices
Friend Trust me he wont
Explanation
The words Trust me do not convey the exact meaning that is intended.
Term 15 Reframing
What is happening
Lewis performs poorly in the philosophy exam. He decides to stop studying philosophy but instead concentrate on sciences.
Martha Lewis, are you sure that you want to major in sciences because you have a passion
Lewis Yes, I have always wanted to be a doctor.
Martha But you also said that you love philosophy earlier.
Lewis I do. I will however take it for one more year before the big switch.
Explanation
Martha views Lewis decision to drop philosophy as brought about by the poor performance. Lewis therefore decides to take the subject for one more year so that his friends can stop reasoning like Martha. 
Term 16 Power and Solidarity
What is happening
Joel the class prefect likes being social with his fellow classmates, sometimes he gets too close that his friends take his authority for granted.
Dialogue
Joel Jade correct that litter beneath your desk.
Jade Not now.
Explanation
Power does not play any role in this case. Joel fails to maintain a balance between power and solidarity.
Term 17 Complimentary Schismogenesis
What is happening
In professor Grills class the issue of dominance is more common among the boys while submissiveness is common among the girls.
Dialogue
Arnold the boys will take up the task while the ladies will also participate.
Martha okay.
Explanation
The two aspects of dominance and submissiveness complement each other.
Term 18 Gender differences in communication
What is happening
Abel tends to be a bit reserved when addressing Martha as compared to the casual look he puts on when addressing Jade.
Dialogue
Abel Morning Martha, may I borrow your book.
Martha Sure
Abel Hi Jade, I need to use your book.
Explanation
The mode in which Abel addresses Martha is completely different from the way he addresses Jade. He tends to be composed and calm when borrowing from Martha as compared to Jade. 

Communication analysis

Communication is our most fundamental skill that we as a human being have. Students must talk with reverence, pay attention for understanding, get along with others, and verbalize so others can identify with so as to use the Communication Process efficiently since it applies to their life and objectives as parents, employees, and residents. The ideas of effectual communication, the communication procedure, and overcoming barricades are all serious pieces to our capability of performing in the world and collaborate with others and are all attached to our capability of communicating efficiently (Communication Process, n.d., p. 79).

The video of Charlie Chaplin reveals the consequences of Cold War. This beautiful speech spoken by Hitler played by Charlie Chaplin portrays the essence of democracy peace, freedom and equality. Researcher recommends that individuals who can regularly out gaze another develop a sense of power and influence over others not so prone. Continued eye contact can illustrate if an individual is reliable, honest or caring. Suspicious eyes, too much blinking can imply deception. Individuals with eye movements that are calm and at ease yet conscientious to the individual they are conversing with are considered as more sincere and honest. Eyebrow muscle illustrates the eyebrows down and toward the midpoint of the face if someone is infuriated. If someone is compassionate and caring during conversation the eyebrows will not explain the aggravated facial scowl (Body Language speaks volumes, n.d.).

In this video, Charlie Chaplin is seen to have maintained eye contact which reveals that the character he is playing is much honest, reliable and caring. The words which he was using portrays that whatever he is uttering is from the core of his heart. There is no deception in his speech. He is speaking whatever is in his mind.

The way he speaks publicly is awesome. Most of the people hate public speaking however, public speaking has certain advantages, such as, the audience can hear what one is trying to say. An individuals voice sells people on his knowledge level and professionalism. It helps a person to gain the support of the audiences when difficulties arise. The tone of voice that Charlie Chaplin has used in this video has been perceived well by the audiences. The clarity of voice was crystal clear. The way Chaplin has spoken indicates that the audiences have been able to trust whatever he is saying. The audiences to whom he was addressing were the soldiers and the General of the Army. He started his speech in a formal way, after that he began to deliver his speech in an informal manner. He went on saying that brotherhood is the main feature which a human being should possess. The hatred which the soldiers show in a battlefield is not everything. An individual having a human heart should bestow love and care and not hatred among society people. After conquering so many territories, Chaplin was not happy with whatever he had done. He did not want to take credit for that. Conquering territories had led to assassination of so many soldiers and had led to devastation of those families who had lost their family members in the battlefield. This is what Chaplin is articulating in his speech.
Anxiety, pain, grief, and anger- the choices of substance and language focus more on the reaction of Charlie Chaplin than on the audience (the soldiers) who were sitting and hearing his speech. The choice of terms perpetually outlines how a topic is depicted. The video conveys the fact that although achieving success in wars, Chaplin is not happy. He is mourned by the death of the soldiers and wants to spread love and peace around the world. The video also interprets the significance of the speech delivered by Chaplin through their choice of language. Indeed, there is no means to express the information without adding color in the video in some manner To apply insipid language would itself downplay the importance of the event (Choices The Choice of Language, n.d.).

One might have heard of speaking from the belly. This implies using ones abdominal muscles as shouts to drive air out of ones lungs and past ones voice-box, making air molecules shake, and making sound. The strong abdominal muscles sustain the sound, which indicates one can project ones voice ahead with power and volume (Speech Volume, n.d.). In the video act by Charlie Chaplin, he was also speaking with power and volume. When he had started delivering his speech, he was using pauses and the speed of his voice was moderate. However, as he continued speaking, the power, volume and the speed of his voice had increased.
The idea behind the speech is that democracy is the ultimate form of the government. Chaplin portraying the role of Adolf Hitler is saying that dictatorship should be put to an end. The White and the Black men should stay in same region as brothers. The soldiers who had fought the war are human beings and being humans, people should show love and care for their fellowmen and not hatred.

In the video, Chaplin needed to convince the soldiers that people should show love and care not hatred among the people of the world. To do that, Chaplin needed clarity and command and for achieving that, he needed structure. The world for the audience is elucidated by the structure in a speech. The speaker (Chaplin) wanted to make the earth in the speech as prearranged as he anticipated he can make the earth for the audience. Chaplins speech in the video was very clearly structured and very successful (Keys to Obama Speeches clarity, structure and making sense of the world, 2009).

The visibility of Chaplin has been boosted in his speech in the video. The audience presence in the act as well as the viewers can perceive a mental picture in their minds what Chaplin was trying to say. He wanted to show the outcomes of the wars, the devastation and the pain which one goes through by losing ones dear person in a war. One can identity in his mind that what are the agonies the family can go through when the family loses their near ones in the war.

Repetition and modulation is a general component of hypnotic speech. The modulation draws individuals in with the feeling of something worth listening to, and then the repetition propels them into a dream. This can be a premeditated technique for public speakers that can be applied to calm a whole audience into a susceptible state before the real message is tripped past the deteriorated cognitive defenses (Modulation, n.d.). Chaplin has continually repeated about the brotherhood. He wanted the soldiers to feel from heart about the consequences of the war and what love and care can bring about happiness in everybodys lives.

The Language of Irony

Irony is the tool that has made Patriotism the last resort of the scoundrel. Furthermore, it has become a necessity in the modern world.  But often, its use and misuse has given rise to much contention and strife due to misunderstanding, or the proper understanding of the words.  The books on irony often state that it is not only the words used that matters, but also the worlds of the user and the audience, that causes the irony. Irony can be seen to have happened in a point of time and not as always present. 

First, lets meet the person in school. Here he would come into contact with phrases, such a good boy coming from teachers at friends who were not owners of exceptional character.  Such phrases in connection would also be uttered by friends about classes that leave them yawning.  What an exceptional class would be an apt description of such a class.  These areas deal with especially relational irony. The same field that deals with Mark Antonys Brutus is an honorable man would come into play with the given antiphrastic responses.  Such responses would bring in the edge of judging a bad class or person in a totally opposite way, thus creating an atmosphere of stark negation.  This would culminate in the coming together of two opposite meanings standing side by side and achieving the effect by contrast.  It would be in classroom of literature, that most interactions and exposure to irony would take place.  While taking literature in class he would of course come across poems like

 But now we got weaponsOf the chemical dustIf fire them were forced toThen fire them we mustOne push of the buttonAnd a shot the world wideAnd you never ask questionsWhen Gods on your side.
(Bob Dylan, With God on Our Side) would expose himher to a lot of irony.  Works like Romeo and Juliet or Huckleberry Finn, resonates with different types of Irony.  My grave is like to be my wedding bed says Juliet.  The juxtaposition becomes all the more true in the final part of the play and she dies because she married Romeo. Much more famous is the story The Gift of the Magi which brings out the helplessness of a couple, who sells their possessions to bring a gift for the other, only understanding late that the other has also done the same thing and the gift is useless.  Such writings in literature would force anyone to think and understand the way things ought to be and the way things really are.  Often it brings out the truth by stark comparison, and thereby educates the listener to the presence of higher truths in life.  It also brings out the fact that man is of a higher intellect and beyond simple comprehension, for he becomes capable of understanding something that is totally different from what is being communicated.  It actually not happens to be but is put in place.

Another place of irony would be that of his community in the library. The person who works in a library, also needs intellectual nourishment.  The Library Association has passed a resolution advocating discussion among library workers including the library administrators.  They are advocating speech among the workers while prohibiting speech among the users of the library.  The associations had adopted it to act within the framework of applicable laws.  In a community which values its intellectual freedom so much, the librarians would be under the danger of being stagnated without freedom of speech in the work hours.  This would give rise to situational irony as the population that comes to library turns up for intellectual nourishment, at least most of them do.  And they prefer silence to speeches. Thus the place of intellectual nourishment, which promotes silence, becomes stagnation for the workers in that area.  Another source of irony would be different authors like Maupassant, Swift etc.  The necklace by Maupassant is a book celebrated for its irony. The necklace itself is not original and a cheap imitation and the name Madame Loisel is almost like Mademoiselle which in French means young unmarried girls which she wishes to be. Such books could alter the lifestyle of a young person. Such situations in a library itself would lead the candidate to more knowledge and character formation (The end(s) of irony the politics of appropriateness). 

As a Devout Catholic attending the Church, he would meet the trope in different forms.  The bible itself abounds in the different forms of irony.  The most evident one would be the words written on the cross which mocks Jesus as the King of Jews whereas Jesus was the actual king long awaited by the Jewish People.  The sense of irony is also carried further in the reading of the Caiphas (as in many reading in the bible) comment that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish (John 11 45-50). Beyond the readings in the bible he would also find that the flock of sheep often turn out to be worse than the tigers around.  Such experiences would certainly make him aware of deeper meanings of intentional irony as well as unintended irony.  When he hears the word good Friday, he doubts often why the day of the great sacrifice of our Lord is celebrated as good, which could propel his curiosity towards religion and enhance his understanding of the religious faith that is professed.  The rituals at Holy Eucharist, which are supposed to be before a Lord of Hosts, which is now mostly abandoned by the flock would often bring to the mind of the devout, a sense of irony that would be beyond words.  The sight of Shepherds often abandoning the flock, and often sheep that attack the shepherds would all be very ironic and true to the core examples, to the devout Catholic.  Another greatest irony would be a closed Church, a Church that claims to be open to all Peoples, where often most people cant find a home.  And the prayer of our Lord that they may all be one as thou, Father , art in me, and I in thee John (1721) creates a desperate sense of irony in him to find a thousand schisms and segregations in the name of faith.

In his day to day life, irony also plays an important role.  The word ironical is often a word meted out in our daily life.  It is not something that could be contained within two bound covers. How ironical is that are words part of our daily conversations which means that it is not confined to the area of literature alone.  The main type of irony would come while they start comparing each other with others spouses, often for fun using understatements.  Those fine days, referring to the time before marriage, is an oft used quote favorite of spouses, hint at the sad plight that they are in now.  This seemingly innocent phrase would juxtapose the rabbit and the duck, in a single majestic sweep of the tongue. One could see either the duck or the rabbit, or both if so inclined. Often different techniques of comparing and contrasting would be used by both spouses to indicate the dissatisfaction that they feel for certain things that they feel could have been done better. Mr. Mrs. X bought a bag, it was so beautiful, everyone was talking about it at the caf...  This would be anticipatory when the spouse is supposed to be buying a present the very next day.  Thus each day would educate and illuminate the candidate to different forms of irony.

    The different forms of irony would play much towards giving the listener a glimpse of the truth, without being crude and at the same time by being humorous. It is presence universally felt and something that has shaped the destiny of every listening community.  It also forms part of a society which enjoys and revels in the ingenuity and glory of its language. With irony, the values and morality of any community comes up for ridicule and self-correction (Modeling meaning the semantics of irony).

Intercultural Communications Japan

Cultural diversity is what people seek to embrace in an effort to get on well with people of different backgrounds. Tolerance is expected while in foreign countries though at times culture shocks are inevitable. Japan is a rich country in terms of culture and technology and it is important to fully comprehend their way of life to be able to mingle with them. What is acceptable in one country maybe considered disrespectful in others and it is therefore important to learn about the customs, practices and the general lifestyle of the Japanese people.

This case study seeks to highlight the lifestyle of the Japanese people in terms of social interactions, etiquette, and style of doing business, customer preferences as well as sensitive matters that must be approached with caution.

Japanese etiquette
According to Mishima (2010), the Japanese are very respectful people and one custom they observe is bowing their heads down. This bowing culture is known as Ojigi and it applies as a form of greeting and also as a sign of respect. It has taken root in Japanese greetings, something which almost replaces the handshake. Foreigners are however pardoned for this and they will receive a rather weak handshake as Japanese stay away from close body contact. While in Japan, it will be considered impolite if people do not return the bow and it is therefore epitome to learn how to do so as it may cost business. Another important fact to note about the Japanese people is that they do not like physical contact with others since it seems to make them uncomfortable. With changing times however and them playing host to many visitors, the Japanese people may shake hands with foreigners.

Bowing is taken seriously in Japan and the Japanese people view it as respectful, as a way of showing gratitude as well as a way to apologise. When dealing with older people, the bow is normally deeper and longer and this shows total respect. Casual greetings take a shorter bow while a business bow is done at an angle of 30 degrees. To show gratitude or give a formal apology, the bow angle changes to 45 degrees and this may also be used to express respect to senior people. When executing the bow, men must have their hands on their sides while women are supposed to place their hands on their thighs.

What to avoid while in Japan
According to Williams (2010), the Japanese people are very direct when it comes to foreigners and people must pardon them if they ask personal questions such as how much money they make or how big their houses are. The Japanese people expect loyalty in business relationships and failure to this may mean no business at all. They love people who are good dressers and so if people are to make a point over that business meeting they must dress to impress. The Japanese business scene requires businessmen to dress up in conservative suits in a dark shade.

Dressing casually to a business meeting is not welcome and this may cost people a contract. Removing shoes is second nature in many Japanese settings and it is therefore advisable to wear those that are easy to remove. Businesswomen must wear minimal accessories and dress conservatively. Women must never wear trousers to a business meeting as the Japanese men will take offence. The Japanese people also believe that women must wear low shoes as they do not like the idea of being towered over. When it comes to wearing the kimono, the left must always be over the right since wearing it otherwise signifies death and it is forms a basis of being misunderstood. The Japanese are conservative and the use of large gestures by the hands considered. People must steer clear from funny facial expressions or any move that attracts unnecessary attention (Williams, 2010).

During a business meeting, it is important to stay away from the ok sign since the Japanese always translate it to mean money, according to Williams (2010). Pointing at people as well as blowing the nose publicly is not acceptable in a Japanese territory. Business cards are very important to the Japanese in business and they are given and received with both hands. It is important to print it in Japanese on one side and in your home language on the other. When presenting it, the part printed in Japanese must always face up.

After receiving this card, people must not write on it or slip it into their wallets. The Japanese consider all these actions disrespectful and they would be pleased if the person took time to read the card and examine it carefully. This phase is so important that no business transactions will take place until business cards have been exchanged. The Japanese refrain from using the word no and in many circumstances may give a yes answer to mean no. It is therefore of essence to understand this since failure to do so may lead to several disagreements during business negotiations (Williams, 2010). 
      
Social interactions
According to the U.S. Library Congress (2010), the Japanese are harmonious people who have great value for self development and order. Among the values they hold close to their hearts is living peacefully with others be they spiritual or human beings. They believe strongly in everyone fulfilling the social obligations set for them by the society. The Japanese believe in gods and they extend the belief to what befalls people. The gods are believed to have a huge influence in the Japanese lives and they are believed to have the power to control human emotions.

The Japanese believe that they are rewarded by the gods if they do good things to others and that is why they highly condemn antisocial behaviour. The Japanese are highly social animals and this culture is developed from an early age. Interdependence is the core of the Japanese people survival and it is encouraged right from the home to the community. The Japanese disregard open competition and in the same breath do not work well with competition. They practice high self-control but at the same time work hard in cooperation with others in an effort to meet their personal obligations.

Decision-making is not a one person thing and this brings them together to chart the way forward and they value group work and association with others. They value strong business relationships and work hard to maintain them though hierarchy occurs naturally. In business meetings, the Japanese are keen to exchange business cards as they value it as a tool for interaction.

The Japanese style of doing business
According to Lafayette (2003), the Japanese often view other people as dishonest especially those from the western countries. The major reason behind this assumption is a disparity in the understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Their perceptions are varied and this makes other people look bad before them. As evidenced by Lafayette, the Japanese are very wary of their business interactions with other people and in their speeches always urge them to be sincere in the transactions.

By emphasizing on sincerity, the Japanese have harmony in mind which will include each person contributing fully to meet his or her obligations to make the dealing successful. They also emphasize on the correct choice of words to avoid confrontations and unwanted excitement which may lead to loss of business. It is typical of the Japanese people to be more concerned with the manner and form in which the business is being transacted. On the other hand, westerners are more result-oriented and this could cause friction between both parties.  Japanese people in business tend to care more about personal relationships and these calls for a deeper understanding which prompts deep discussions of every minute detail (Lafayette, 2003).
Root binding must be done in an effort to nurture the business ties formed since over the years, distance may grow between the two parties as each side tends to interpret the agreement differently. According to Lafayette (2003), this is caused by differences in perception rather than deviousness. The Japanese business people also belief that naturally the business ties will change just as circumstances change over a period of time. The trick here is therefore being flexible enough to adjust as the business relationship may prompt if business ties with any Japanese are to be maintained.

Japanese customer preferences
According to Cordell (2010), foreign products are subject to intense customer evaluations and they better be good. Other than the resources used in production of the commodity as well as the cost benefits, a foreign product must gain an edge in the market if it is to compete with other local products. The common notion is that products from industrialised nations of the world are valued higher than those from developing countries. The product will therefore be perceived either positively or negatively depending on the country of origin.
A brand name is what sells and in most cases, Japanese consumers will go for a product that comes from a reputable company. Marketing of a new product in a foreign land therefore needs be strategic if it is to sell and the company has to aim at maximising its profits. This therefore calls for intensive knowledge of the product as well as assuring the consumers of high quality judging from the fact that Japan is very advanced in industrial and technological matters.

Japan ranks second in the worlds superpowers list and being able to penetrate her territories for a business venture is the best that could happen to any business. It is therefore important to understand their cultural value as it is a step towards understanding how business flows on the other end. Being a foreigner in Japan can be a great experience while at other times it can be stressful. This will happen if people do not take time to study the lifestyle of the Japanese and this may lead to collisions with them.

When it comes to the product, it must be well researched and well packaged if it is to survive the stiff competition that Japan offers. It must have an edge on the products already in the market and the marketing-process must also be well researched to address the market needs. The product must be well presented by its marketers in an attractive and practical package and it must have the potential of competing fully with its predecessors in the market. However, a blissful business relationship is bound to develop if people respect their lifestyle and make adjustments to suit in their midst.

Change Initiative and Compelling Communication Strategy

Success and prosperity of any business organization is usually the dream and interest of all business managers and the different stake holders. In this case, business organizations main objective is to prevail in the market and if possible to control all market operations. In relation to this, organizational change and a well stipulated action plan is usually essential for the success of any business. In regard to this, the organization managers should ensure involvement of all players in the restructuring of an organization and in the devising of an action plan. In this regard, this paper is going to discuss an efficient and effective short-term win strategy that can be adopted by the business organization.

Importantly, the driven business development initiative can be very fruitful if it is properly adopted in the organizational change strategy. In respect to this, the driven business development has in many cases led to good results for many organizations. The driven business development has proved to be very efficient in that it clearly stipulates the organizations objectives, image, operation and the core principles. In this case, the driven business development focuses on key business areas, which aim at improving the organizations performance.     Market development is one of the key areas where the business organization should focus on where in this case the organization seeks to capture a steady and ready market for its products. Importantly, product development is also very essential in ensuring that a business organization prevails in the market. In this case, a good communication strategy should be put in place to ensure the products specifications are improved to meet customers preference (McNamara, 2010).

    In the short run driven business development also focuses at sales development in the endeavors to ensure good results for the organization. In addition, international development is a very key area which should be adequately addressed so as to yield good results for the organization. In this regard, the driven business development leads to improvements in supply-chain, logistics, and equipments thus it should be adopted in organizational change. Based on this case, development of human resources through training and capacity building should be adopted so as to realize good results. Importantly, the development of organization processes, outline and the adoption of e-business should be adequately addressed (McNamara, 2010).

    A point worth noting is that, the implementation of any organizational change calls for professionalism and expertise. In this case, the adoption of new strategies is a very technical area which should be decisively handled. In this regard, the involvement of all stakeholders is very essential so as to ensure efficiency in the transition process (Cook, 1999).

Importantly, opinions and contributions made by any employee in the organization should be taken with due respect. In relation to this, a successful organization can only be built on teamwork and tolerance among the varied stakeholders. Based on this case, good communication of the changes to be adopted is very essential so as to avoid controversies or misunderstanding among the staff. Importantly, for efficiency and effectiveness to be achieved all new changes should be clearly stated and all employees adequately informed about the changes (Cook, 1999).

After keenly following the different strategies adopted to yield good organizational results, it is with no doubt that a good action plan is inevitable. In this scenario, all stakeholders in an organization should be incorporated in decision making in order to arrive at acceptable and fruitful strategies. Additionally, the management should take the responsibility of enlightening the employees on the need for the change whereby in this case will lead to maximum support from the employees (Cook, 1999).

Office Politics

Every workplace is evidently a political environment. However, operating in such an environment does not necessarily mean slinging dirt, lying, and sucking up. In its basic form, office politics are purely about getting a promotion, actualization of an idea, or acquiring the support required for one to make a change in an organization. Dealing with office politics entails earning respect, exchanging favors, defending your position, and maintaining ones sanity in the middle of all the chaos that come with office politics. In dealing with office politics, it is crucial that one is able to identify what you truly wish to achieve in your work, then aligning your political ambitions towards your career goals. In my place of work, I use the following ways in responding to office politics, improving my job performance, and coping with difficult coworkers.

In responding to office politics, I embrace office politics instead of avoiding it. Office politics are merely about going the extra mile in assisting coworkers and helping them with what they need. It is highly probable that they will return the favor. This strategy can help one achieve hisher career goals and improve ones work environment faster that loyalty or hard work.

The other way that I respond to office politics is by asking my colleagues for feedback in my work place. When I am concerned about my performance at work, I usually ask a trusted workmate for a genuine feedback. For example, I can ask my colleague to tell me how I could have conveyed my ideas effectively, or I can ask what a colleague thinks hindered or helped me from attaining my careers objective, in a meeting. I am not easily swayed by annoyance or anger when I am dealing with conflict or negotiating with complicated coworkers. (Kienlen, 2008)

I also prepare any requests that I might have in advance. When I am planning to request for time off, a raise, or job promotion, I always rehearse my request well in advance. I am always straightforward and direct when making my requests I also accompany my request with justifiable reasons why I should be granted my request. I offer concrete information to support my request. For instance, I can use my past job performance in requesting for a promotion.

In responding to office politics, I do not take workplace problems, mistakes, or conflict personally. If I am asked to offer an explanation of a mistake whether perceived or real, I do not take personally. I do not allow criticisms or negativity to pull me down.

The other approach that has enabled me to handle office politics well is that I have established strong professional relationship. Successful politics begin with relationships this entails getting the respect and support of coworkers in attempting to attain any goal. Coworkers have their own allegiances and relationships that they can use to work with an individual. In responding to office politics, I have been able to seek alliances with coworkers who are equal and below my position because they all have the power to support or thwart my goals. (McIntyre, 2005)

The other crucial approach that I have used successfully in responding to office politics is that I know all the rules of office politics in my place of work. I know the unspoken and spoken rules at my place of work, and this has enabled me to know which rules can be bent or broken