Interesting Facts About Maya Angelou

Thanks to her award-winning writing, Maya Angelou was internationally known decades before her death at age 86 in 2014. Despite her fame and her many memoirs, many interesting details about her life remain widely unknown to the public. Familiarize yourself with the life and work of Maya Angelou with this list of interesting facts about her life. Family Life She may have risen to fame as â€Å"Maya Angelou,† but she was not born with that first name or with that surname. Instead, Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis. â€Å"Maya† derives from a childhood nickname and Angelou is a shortened version of Angelopoulos, the surname of a Greek sailor the writer married in 1952.It’s uncertain how many times Angelou married, the New York Times reported in her obituary. â€Å"Throughout her life, she was cagey about the number of times she married—it appears to have been at least three—for fear, she said, of appearing frivolous,† the Times noted.Although Angelou married a number of times, she bore just one child, a son named Guy Johnson. She gave birth to him at the age of 16. He was the product of a brief romance Angelou had with a neighborhood boy in Northern California. Career During her young adulthood, Angelou became the first black woman to work as a streetcar conductor in San Francisco, according to the Times.Although Angelou stood 6 feet tall, she managed to carve out a career as a dancer as a young woman. She even danced with the likes of Alvin Ailey.Angelou appeared in a number of theatrical productions, earning a Tony nomination for her role in 1973’s â€Å"Look Away,† a play about Mary Todd Lincoln and her seamstress. Friendship With Prominent African Americans Angelou stopped celebrating her birthday because the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a friend of hers, was assassinated on that day. Instead of celebrating her birthday, Angelou sent flowers to King’s widow, Coretta, according to Biography.com. In addition to King, Angelou was friends with a number of other prominent African Americans, including James Baldwin and civil rights icon Malcolm X, the New York Times reported. Literary Career Angelou rose to fame after the publication of her 1969 memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. That book made history, as it marked the first time an autobiography by an African-American woman became a best-seller in the United States.Caged Bird was far from Angelou’s only memoir. The writer followed that effort up with Gather Together in My Name (1974), Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas (1976), The Heart of a Woman (1981), All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986) and A Song Flung Up to Heaven (2002). Moreover, in 2013, Angelou’s memoir about her relationship with her mother, Mom Me Mom, debuted.Despite the fact that she excelled as a writer above all else, Angelou said that the craft did not come easily to her. In 1990, she told the Paris Review, â€Å"I try to pull the language into such a sharpness that it jumps off the page. It must look easy, but it takes me forever to get it to look so easy. Of course, ther e are those critics—New York critics as a rule—who say, Well, Maya Angelou has a new book out and of course it’s good but then she’s a natural writer. Those are the ones I want to grab by the throat and wrestle to the floor because it takes me forever to get it to sing. I work  at the language.†Ã‚   More About Maya Angelou A globetrotter, Angelou spoke a number of languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, and the West African language Fanti.Angelou had a seafood allergy. Apparently, it was so severe that she requested people not to eat seafood prior to meeting with her.

Good and Bad Xenia in The Odyssey by Homer - 892 Words

More Than a Cup of Tea Offering a hot beverage, food, the safety of your home, or entertainment are all examples of presenting good xenia to guests. xenia is commonly used to portray hospitality or a guest/host relationship. xenia, is important in Ancient Greek society. Zeus is the God of travelers, in addition to being the king of the Gods. This forces for the host to feel obliged to treat their guests with much hospitality, and vice versa with guests, serving with high responsibility. Zeus would severely punish those who break the fine rules of xenia and hospitality. In the epic,â€Å"The Odyssey† by Homer, there are multiple examples of good and bad xenia. The group of 108 men who slouch around Penelope show poor xenia and are eventually stricken with their bitter death. Conversely, Eumaios presented great xenia when taking Odysseus in, even while he was disguised as a beggar. Xenia is a prevalent theme in the book and holds a central place in The Odyssey. Throughout the bo ok, Zeus demands the highest level of Xenia, yet some people do not abide by his rules. When Odysseus and his men end up in the cave of Polyphemus, the Cyclops, Odysseus demands welcoming hospitality under the name of Zeus, as they are guests; Polyphemus says â€Å"Give me still more, freely, and tell me your name straightway now, so I can give you a guest present to make you happy.† (Homer 355) When Polyphemos begins speaking about hospitality, it’s evident that its not going to end well. Not only will heShow MoreRelatedWhy Is Xenia Such an Important Theme in the Odyssey?1211 Words   |  5 PagesWhy is Xenia such an important theme in the Odyssey? Explain your views and support them with details from the poem. (45 marks) The concept of guest hospitality was extremely important in ancient Greece. Evidence that Xenia was integral to Greek society can be found in the fact that Zeus, the king of the Gods, was also portrayed as the God of Xenia. Xenia created an obligation for the host to be hospitable to their guests, and conversely, the guests had their own responsibilities too. If eitherRead MoreXenia in the Odyssey Essay760 Words   |  4 Pagesancient Greece. Hospitality, or Xenia, is so essential in Greek society that Zeus, in addition to being the king of the Gods, is also the God of travelers (Wikipedia). This created an obligation for the host to be hospitable to their guests, and conversely, the guests had their own responsibilities as well. If either the host or the guest was to break any rule set by Xenia, there would be severe penalties dealt by Zeus and also by society (Wikipedia). In The Odyssey, Xenia is a theme which is shown repeatedlyRead MoreFar Removed From Our Individualistic Societ y Today Is The1514 Words   |  7 Pagessociety today is the ancient Greece portrayed in The Odyssey, by Homer, where hospitality and good-will are a given in the lives of decent, moral people. As commanded by Zeus himself, those who wish the favor of the Gods must welcome foreign and domestic visitors with hospitality. The term developed to describe this concept is the Latin, xenia or guest-friendship. In ancient Greek literature, forms of the word xenia (ÃŽ ¾ÃŽ µÃŽ ¯ÃŽ ½ÃŽ ¯ÃŽ ±), are fairly common: Homer s two books, for example, contain about one hundredRead MoreXenia in the Odyssey1993 Words   |  8 PagesThe Importance of Xenia in The Odyssey and it’s Consequences One of the most important themes in The Odyssey is the concept of xenia, which is the old Greek word for hospitality. In modern times, hospitality is something we rarely think of, and the first thing that comes to mind is the hotel industry, but in ancient Greece, xenia was not about hotels, or just about etiquette, it was a way of life with many benefits in a world that was still mostly savage. Xenia was more than just being polite toRead MoreIn What Ways Is the Telemachy Important to the Odyssey as a Whole1553 Words   |  7 Pageswhat ways is the Telemachy important to the Odyssey as a whole? What would the poem lose if these first four books were removed? Homer’s the Odyssey is the epic tale of Odysseus’ return home from the battle of Troy, yet we do not truly get to the hero in action until after we are drawn through the story of his son life in the absence of his father in Ithaka. In the first four books, we see how Telemachos, Odysseus’ son, matures and through his eyes Homer shows us the unrest and troubles of IthakaRead MoreXenia As A Major Key Of A Civilized Society896 Words   |  4 PagesXenia Hospitality is a very diverse tradition leading all the back to the Mycenaean era. During the time period of The Odyssey, the Greeks considered hospitality a major key of a well civilized society. Throughout The Odyssey, Xenia was an extremely significant theme which was recalled many times throughout the poems. Odysseus throughout the way has shown he is exceedingly hospitable. The Odyssey reflects Xenia through Odysseus’s journey of: Odyessus’s Crew, nymphs, and the Gods. Xenia was shownRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1368 Words   |  6 Pagesanalysis of xenia in The Odyssey William Shakespeare, in Timon Of Athens Act III Scene line 39 writes : I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide of knaves once more; my cook and I ll provide† Shakespeare is explaining to his readers that he will invite everyone in and he will cook for them meaning that he will provide everything to his guests. Similarly, in The Odyssey Odysseus without knowing it is providing for all the suitors with a home and food for endless days. The Odyssey has manyRead MoreThe Odyssey By Homer s Odyssey Essay1314 Words   |  6 Pages8th century, The Odyssey, is Homer s epic of Odysseus 10-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. Odysseus defining character traits, such as nobility, courage, thirst for the glory and the appealing confidence in his authority dominated the storyline throughout. The many themes of this epic mainly focus around the Greek hero Odysseus however in my essay I will attempt to analyze hospitality. Hospitality shaped an important part of social interactions in The Odyssey. Although Greek societyRead More The Significance of ?Xenia? Essay1442 Words   |  6 PagesThe Significance of â€Å"Xenia† nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ancient Greece is known for its beautiful theaters and its skilled poets. One of the most famous ones at that time and famous even now is Homer. Nobody knows who he actually is but the works that he has created are far more than magnificent. The Odyssey and The Iliad are two poems that turned into myths, have actually been accepted as part of the history of the Greeks. The Odyssey is a story about a hero from the Trojan War who strugglesRead MoreThe Importance of Hospitality in the Odyssey523 Words   |  2 Pages In The Odyssey, Homer uses fear of the gods to portray the idea of Xenia, which means hospitality to all, to live a normal and happy life. On multiple occasions people ignore this idea and in result get a streak of bad luck. For example, the suitors that stay in Odysseus house are terrible guests. They get brutally murdered by Odysseus. Polyphemus eats several of Odysseus crew mates. Polyphemus gets blinded by Odysseus. Aegisthus does certain unsta ted acts with Agamemnons wife, then kills Agamemnon

The True Nature Of Love - 1338 Words

What is Love? â€Å"Love, whether newly born or aroused from a deathlike slumber, must always create sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world.† According to Hawthorne, the true nature of love should not flow from a place of contrived affection. Although Hawthorne’s notion of romantic love is rather idealistic, it starkly contrasts the way â€Å"love† functioned in Puritan society. Many young women at that time were quick to jump into marriages devoid of feeling and warmth out of fear that they would turn into old maids, unable to serve the purpose that God created them for; procreation. â€Å"It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom. Each, in its utmost development, supposes a high degree of intimacy and heart-knowledge; each renders one individual dependent for the food of his affections and spiritual fife upon another: each leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his subject. Philosophically considered, therefore, the two passions seem essentially the same, except that one happens to be seen in a celestial radiance, and the other in a dusky and lurid glow.† Seemingly different, the correlation between love and hate is ironically similar. Both love and hate require a copious amount of emotion and effort that either leave the respondent of its tumultuous ways either highly elated orShow MoreRelatedThe True Nature of Obsession (Othello, Endless Love and Damoyre)1637 Words   |  7 PagesThe true nature of obsession manipulates a p erson’s character, forcing them to act in unusual ways, as if possessed by an involuntary need. An obsessed mind becomes intensely absorbed in the subject of the obsession to an extent that drives away the truth and realism in their values, morals and perceptions. William Shakespeare manifests this idea of an involuntary change in character in the play â€Å"Othello†, and with a similar approach this idea is identified by Scott Spencer in the novel â€Å"EndlessRead MoreThe Theme of True Love in A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare744 Words   |  3 PagesThe Theme of True Love in A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare The overriding theme of the play A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare deals with the nature of love. Though true love seems to be held up as an ideal, false love is mostly what we are shown. Underneath his frantic comedy, Shakespeare seems to be asking the questions all lovers ask in the midst of their confusion: How do we know when love is real? How can we trust ourselves that love is real when we areRead More Uncovering the Truth in Shakespeares King Lear Essay1314 Words   |  6 Pagesand worldly connections can one truly realize ones inner being (Confucius). The true nature of man is known but is not commonly seen until adversity strikes. Characters reveal their true nature when they are reduced to nothing. In the play, King Lear, by William Shakespeare, there are three main themes that characters can be reduced by; social status, love and power. Through these three mediums the true nature of the works characters are exposed, by stripping away the innuendo, d eceit and superficialityRead MorePlatos Symposium : The Nature Of Love1592 Words   |  7 Pages Plato’s Symposium describes the nature of love to be the driving force towards immortality. Aristophanes perpetuates this idea through his allegorical description of human’s original nature, and the component of the driving force of love within that nature. The underlying goal of this force of love is immortality, though he does not directly articulate it in his speech. It is with the emergence of Socrates’ ideas that we are equipped with sufficient evidence reinforcing Aristophanes’ story to beRead MoreEssay on Human Nature in Hamlet and a Midsummer Nights Dream1314 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"It is the nature of people to love, then destroy, then love again that which they value the most.† –Unknown. Countless authors have tried to display love as human nature, but no author does this better than the famous playwright, William Shakespeare. In both Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare exhibits how love can control a person. To understand how love controls a person, one must understand that human nature is the sum of qualities and traits shared by all humans. All humansRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1529 Words   |  7 Pagesideologies of love and challenges the conventions of love at the time. Shakespeare does this in a multitude of ways that subtly but effectively changes society’s view on love. Throughout the majority of his sonnets and in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Shakespeare goes against the Petrarchan views on love which were courtly love and also were the norm at the time. Petrarch was an Italian scholar and a poet who wrote sonnets which formed ideas on how love should be and by the 16th century, these ideas of love were theRead MoreAnalysis Of Elizabeth Barrette Brownings Sonnets From The Portuguese1021 Words   |  5 Pagesexpresses her thoughts on love. Despite the myriad of ways that the speaker chooses to express her understanding of love, it is comprised of qualities existing outside of the world’s inherently corrupt nature. The speaker in Elizabeth Barrette Browning’s â€Å"Sonnets from the Portuguese† views the world and her desires through the self-sacrificing and pure nature of love and values it above physical beauty and simple societal endearment. The speaker’s perspective on the world and love are intertwined. WhenRead MoreI Think Romantic Love Is Universal Because It Is A Legacy Of Humanity s Shared Evolutionary Past797 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is the meaning of love? Love is a powerful emotional and spiritual recognition. It can provide a deep happiness, and a deep suffering when unfulfilled. Love is one of the most valuable and cherished feelings in people’s lives. Love is known since the time of Adam and Eve. It makes one feel as if nothing else is needed in order to survive in this world. The definitions of love are the same and yet different. There are many authors in stories and poems that use romantic love like Shakespeare andRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Vicki-Tikki Tavi1727 Words   |  7 Pagesthe garden, and he proved himself a true mongoose. By examining the text, Rikki Tikki Tavi, a reader could claim that a character in text undertakes a mission because of multiple motivations specifically , and that Rikki fought the snakes because he was trying to protect his human family, prove himself a true mongoose, and honor and respect his mongoose family. Indeed, Rikki Tikki Tavi fought in the â€Å"great war† by killing the snakes because he was giving love and protection back to his adoptiveRead MoreJamaican Poets1237 Words   |  5 Pagesthat time period including Claude McKay. Both poets had such a love for their country and made it clear in their poems. They spoke about the beauty of Jamaica, how through thick and thin Jamaica would always be their heart and homeland. The themes of nature, faith, and love are very present within the six poems we read. In Thomas Redcam’s poem â€Å"My Beautiful Home† is where we first see the predominant themes of nature, faith, and love. In this poem he speaks of Jamaica in such vivid terms, making

Marketing Plan For Coca Cola - 1044 Words

Marketing Plan Introduction This paper will discuss marketing plan for Coca-Cola Company. The definition of marketing will be presented along with other elements. Specifically discussed will be the following: definition of marketing, introduction of product/service, situation analysis, marketing strategy, product/service overview, pricing strategy, distribution channels, integrated marketing communications, promotion mix strategy, message strategy, promotion tool #1, promotion tool #2, and promotion tool #3. This paper will conclude with a summary of this discussion. Definition of Marketing Marketing is creating sell through communication, price, promotion, place, and product. Marketing helps a company with advertised the product of†¦show more content†¦The names of other competitors such as: Cadbury Schweppes, Groupe Danone and other non-alcoholic beverages. Coca-Cola prices advertisement, the Coca-Cola brand, and trade development are affected by the competition. It also affects the gross revenue of the company. Coca-Cola Company is nation-wide and develops over time. But some Coca-Cola growth is not all time. Coca-Cola can receive bad publicity and it can affect the growth in sell. Coca-Cola also depends on Partners Company for bottles this can possible slow down production. Coca-Cola can overcome their promoting with good publicity in the communities. Marketing Strategy: Target Market(s) Positioning The Target Marketing is generalizing segment or segments to sell a product and/or service. Companies use target marketing to reach the consumer and find certain marketing factors, which allow the company to develop a marketing plan (Prdic, 2016). Target markets are broken down just like segmentation but more specific such as: the age, lifestyle, and buyer powers. Target market is a key element in a market plan. Companies can determine the factors of a market plan from a target market such as: price, promotion, and distribution. Product/Service Overview and Strategies to Consider Marketers try to understand the consumer buyer’s behavior by using the four p’s of marketing which are: price, place, promotion, and product (Hilman Kaliappen, 2015). All of these inputs lead to the

Analysis of the Character of Mrs. Linde in A Dolls House

The American author Napoleon Hill once stated â€Å"think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.† In Henrick Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, the character of Mrs. Linde contributes to the exposition and pivotal moment of the decideding factors of Krogstad, she also has a profound influence on the character development of Nora Helmer. Mrs. Linde directly contributes to Nora’s moment of realization and Nora’s decision to leave her husband at the end of the play. Woman within Ibsen’s time period were often considered lesser in comparison to men, and typically within a marriage the woman was considered an accessory rather than an equal. But in the case of Mrs.†¦show more content†¦Nora is able to form a rational decision in leaving her home for the benefit of her family. This reveals that Mrs. Linde and Nora have underlying similarities within their characteristics. They are both self-sacrificial, working in order to help their families; however, Nora was only able to come to this realization through the aid of Mrs. Linde. The main focus of Act III tackles the predetermined distinctions between the husband and wife, not the conflict between Krogstad and Nora. In order to draw attention to the marital relations between Nora and Helmer, Ibsen eliminates any other distractions and concludes other subplots that might draw attention away from the main plot. Ibsen uses the character of Mrs. Linde to remove Krogstad from the role of the antagonist by reconstructing their broken relationship, in order to increase the awareness of Nora and Torvald’s unstable relationship. This contributes to Nora’s relinquishment of her â€Å"doll-wife† existence, relieving herself of her â€Å"most sacred duties,† as a mother and wife in her final decision to leave her husband at the end of Act III. By placing Mrs. Linde in the role of the mediator, Ibsen is striving to eliminate the idea that women are only capable of causing trouble. He distinctly contrasts Mrs. Linde to Nora making Nora the troub le maker, and Mrs. Linde the problem solver. This trait, influenced by Mrs. Linde, radiates in Nora in the climactic moment when she decidesShow MoreRelatedWomens Role in Society Analyzed and Debated in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House918 Words   |  4 Pagesof women in society has been analyzed and frequently debated throughout history. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is no exception to the rule. In Norway, and during the Victorian period in history, women’s responsibilities were simply to keep house or do small jobs on the side such as sewing or light secretarial work. Henrik Ibsen may have had several intentions when writing his play A Doll’s House, but the one that stands out so clearly is the role of women in the time period from which the playRead MoreA Dolls House -H.Ibsen ,Critical Analysis1554 Words   |  7 Pages: Henrik Johan Ibsen Genre : Realistic Modern Drama Name of the Work / Play : A Doll’s House ( 1897 ) in three acts Characters : Major Characters / Minor Characters Nora Helmer ( wife of Torvald Helmer ,mother of three children ) Torvald Helmer( husband of Nora Helmer , a lawyer ,father of three children ) Dr. Rank ( doctor ,friend of Nora Torvald Helmer, confidant ,commentator ) Mrs. Kristine Linde ( old friend of Nora Helmer ) Nils Krogstad ( barrister , old lover of Kristine ,fatherRead MoreHenrik Ibsen s A Doll s House944 Words   |  4 PagesMy character analysis is based on Nora and Torvald Helmer and the progression of their relationship from the play â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen. Both Torvald and Nora Helmer played as major characters but were flat and static in the beginning. Nora with her childlike and submissive behavior toward her husband of eight years and Torvald with a stereotypical point of view. Developing this trait as a child from her father Nora believed this was an acceptable behavior for her marriage. And TorvaldRead MoreA Doll S House 13753 Words   |  16 Pagesï » ¿A Doll’s House Themes Marriage Women and Femininity Men and Masculinity The Home Respect and Reputation Love Lies and Deceit Money    Love and Marriage As a play focused around the marriage between  Nora  and  Torvald,  A Doll s House  can be seen as an exploration of love and marriage, or even, more profoundly, on whether there can be love in marriage. At the beginning of the play, Nora and Torvald appear to be very happily married, even to themselves. Nora talks joyfully about her love for TorvaldRead MoreAnalysis Of A Doll s House 1005 Words   |  5 PagesA Doll’s House is an iconic play focusing on the themes of respect and reputation, lies and deceit, men and masculinity, and women and femininity. It emphasizes physical aspects of women, while excluding influence on the men s appearance, giving insight into the time period. It shows how society judged others while presenting information about how reputation influenced relationships and marriage, leaving the audience pondering what would have happened to the Helmer family if Nora had been unattractiveRead MoreA Critics Opinion of a Dolls House1743 Words   |   7 PagesDestiny Maxfield Mrs. Collar Engl. 1302 19 November 2012 A Critic’s Opinion of A Doll’s House In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House many views could be seen from both sides of the gender world. Critics will argue about the true meaning of the story and why Ibsen wrote the story. The main points of the play that critics discuss are sexuality i.e. feminism, the wrong doing of the father figure, and spiritual revolution. I believe these critics are each right in their own way from my understanding of theRead More A Dolls House: A Push To Freedom Essay examples1371 Words   |  6 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Sometime after the publication of quot;A Dolls Housequot;, Henrik Ibsen spoke at a meeting of the Norwegian Association for Womens Rights. He explained to the group, quot;I must decline the honor of being said to have worked for the Womens Rights movement. I am not even very sure what Womens Rights are. To me it has been a question of human rightsquot; ( ). quot;A Dolls Housequot; is often interpreted by readers, teachers, and critics alike as an attackRead MoreRealism Theatre Essay1085 Words   |  5 Pagessymbolism, character development, stage setting and storyline and is exemplified in plays such as Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House and Anton Chekhovs The Three Sisters. The arrival of realism was indeed good for theatre as it promoted greater audience involvement and raised awareness of contemporary social and moral issues. It also provided and continues to provide a medium through which playwrights can express their views about societal values, attitudes and morals. A Dolls House is the tragedyRead MoreAn Analysis Of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House 970 Words   |  4 PagesA Doll’s House Ashleen Kaushal TOPIC: The theme of heredity in the play I. Introduction Henrik Ibsen’s three-act play, A Doll’s House, follows a seemingly typical housewife as she becomes painfully aware of the flaws in her marriage with a condescending, chauvinistic man. Ibsen uses the ideology of a Victorian society as a backdrop to inject the theme of heredity in the play. He employs several characters to demonstrate the different facets of heredity in order to highlight how this conceptRead MoreA Dolls House Character Analysis1504 Words   |  7 PagesSometimes, characters in a novel or play go through a great dynamic change only to find their true self and to remove the fraudulent perception of themselves in the eyes of others. Such a change leads the character to become fully aware of their life as well as finally understand what a hypocritical life they have mistakenly led. At the beginning of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer is shown as a childish and na ve housewife with a knack for spending money. This opinion is transf erred mostly

Intrinsic Motivators and Extrinsic Motivators †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Intrinsic Motivators and Extrinsic Motivators. Answer: Introduction: Based on the observations made, the teams involved had different performances. The varying performance is attributed to the member participation in the team activities as well as collaboration in the team. It was observed that members in the first team actively listened and observed non-verbal cues from the other team members. The members regularly communicated with each other when observing the others which enhanced what they learnt. This group was effective in communicating with each other and providing feedback which played a key role in their success. The members applied the lessons made from their observations when creating the team agenda. During the team interaction, members increased their communication effectiveness. As a result, their identification with the team was improved and they were committed to the team agenda. The members also developed strong interdependence and relationships which were instrumental in collaborating to achieve the team goals. The team members ensured every team member contributed to the agenda and task execution by giving each one of them an opportunity to express themselves and provide ideas that could benefit the team. Each idea proposed in the team was evaluated and feedback provided. This engagement among team members contributed to improved interaction which enabled to complete their task successfully. The second team was not as successful as the first but managed to complete the task allocated albeit late. While the team members observed the team, they seemed to be distracted and failed to effectively listen to the other members talking. The members of this team talked with each other but there were confusion about what some of the team members had communicated. The team was ineffective in providing feedback which undermined its success. Interaction in the team was poor which created dissatisfaction and affected team member relationships. Poor engagement among the team affected the cohesiveness of the team and their competence at the task allocated. Without feedback and consistent interaction, the members could not effectively collaborate to create team agenda and execute the task allocated. As a result, members could not coordinate their skills. Additionally, several members were left out in the team communication which had significant effect on their performance. Such members co uld not contribute anything to group as other members were not willing to involve them in the team activities. Reflecting thoughts is the first step of active listening. An individual has to reflect on what the speaker has said which helps to pay attention to the situation before reflecting on feelings. Reflecting thoughts implies that a person is not only listening but also trying to understand what is being said. Before reflecting emotions and feelings expressed, one has to understand the speakers message and its context. Internal Motivators External Motivators Managers leading by example Reading success stories on the internet Workplace motivation sessions Watching motivational videos Workgroups Motivational seminars Organizational performance goals Career workshops Incentives Successful people in my career Top-performing employees Internal motivators are more effective in motivating me to work. They have more influence on my focus on improving performance than external motivators. While the latter also plays a key role in encouraging me to achieve my performance goals, the former tends to have a strong effect. Since internal motivators are within the workplace, they encourage me as an employee to enhance my performance in order to realize personal and organizational goals (Deci, 2008). For example, workplace motivation sessions are designed to encourage employees to adjust their performance in order to achieve the goals set by the management. Such sessions are more personalized to employees and address obstacles that may be affecting their performance hence are likely to have a significant impact on employee efforts. On the other hand, watching motivational videos may assist employees to assess challenges affecting their performance but may not put pressure on them to change. Additionally, motivators such as i ncentives and organizational performance goals provided by the management can be effective in improving performance as individuals are encouraged to work harder to get a reward or personal satisfaction (Yoo, 2012). I was a team member in a project which we were supposed to deliver a marketing strategy that could be adopted by the company to promote a new service we had launched. I disagreed with one team member who had opposed my opinion on how the project could be conducted. The disagreement turned into a conflict that threatened to divide team. Some team members supported my idea while others opposed it. I was angry that many team members rejected by idea which I considered to be key in building a solid marketing strategy. Fortunately, the company management intervened before the conflict could become dysfunctional. Key factors that influenced the conflict resolution process were culture and relationship. The team had adopted a collaborative culture and members had forged relationships which played a critical role in bringing the members together to resolve their disagreements. References Deci, E. L., Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health.Canadian psychology/Psychologie canadienne,49(3), 182. Yoo, S. J., Han, S. H., Huang, W. (2012). The roles of intrinsic motivators and extrinsic motivators in promoting e-learning in the workplace: A case from South Korea.Computers in Human Behavior,28(3), 942-950.

Work-Integrated Learning Program for Hospitality Management

Question: Write about theWork-Integrated Learning Program for Hospitality Management. Answer: Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for hotel and hospitality management students is an essential part of the practical work environment. Smith (2012) views work integrated learning as a process in which the time spent in the workplace forms an essential component of an educational program of study. The main purpose of WIL program in the hospitality industry is to enhance student learning outcomes and promote workplace autonomy. This theory is also supported by Gibson, et al. (2008) who believes that WIL program is a structured learning strategy that gradually incorporates educational study with learning through practical work experience in a field related to a students career specialization. The program can be either work-based or experience-based (Smith, 2012). The vocational nature of hotel and hospitality management is vital to utilize WIL as a process of transferring classroom experience to the workplace. In that sense, Smith believes that students technical skills can be effectively transferred to the real work environment and promote professionalism. As such, WIL placement with reference to the hospitality management is ideal for students having a compulsory term of work integrated learning. Solnet Hood (2008) developed a framework for work-integrated learning that features the relationship between students, academics, and managers as the three aspects of learning. It is the responsibility of the organization to ensure that students benefit from the WIL programs through proper supervision and assessment with the help of the students specific institutions. As such, work integrated learning is not just a supplementary to the education curriculum, but a crucial component of the education process. Through the WIL program, students are provided the opportunity to be nurtured and developed by the organizational mentors (Baker, 2014). That certainly instills a sense of professionalism and practice within students leading to a productive learning outcome. Baker (2014) confirms that the significance of work integrated learning being a part of a program in hospitality management cannot be overlooked or overrated. Attached students gain valuable skills and experience through the a pplication of their classroom experience in the workplace. This way, students develop their interactive skills and enhance their relationship with clients, fellow workers, and the management for the benefit of both the organization and self. It is important that students should be mentored on a practical basis beyond what they learn in their classrooms. In the organization, a trainer acts as a counselor and a leader. As such, the organizations work integrated learning must be supported by a coaching that provides the order of events necessary for a successful learning outcome as outlined in the table below. Table 1: Design principles of Work Integrated Learning Placement Design Principle Training Connection Relevance The WIL placement program is designed essentially to meet the needs of the organization and its employees. Senior management support Senior managers acknowledge the significance of the training program and clearly demonstrate their approval through their actions and resources over the short, medium, and long-term. Systematic alignment Systematically structured processes are used to identify, select, and matching trainers and trainees. Task specification Roles and responsibilities of students and trainers are clarified and mutually accepted. Flexibility Trainees go through a variety of learning activities and work environments Innovation and technology Trainees and trainers utilize the internet to update and manage the organizational details of their training partnership. Assessment Procedures are executed to constantly assess and upgrade the components of the program Source: Smith (2012) The design of an integrated training program can enhance the sense of personal adjustment that both the trainer and the trainee may need. Groenewald (2004) believes that such a plan is a systematic way through which expectations can be identified and met. Also, since the plan reflects the negotiated agreement between mentors and students, it is structured in a way that provides the flexibility necessary over the given learning period. Spowart (2006) agrees with this idea by stating that the plan should not be entirely a formal contract but should be based on both the professional and personal expectations of the students. And for the trainer to implement the plan, he or she has to consider the students learning outcome which can be provided by their particular educational institutions. The importance of academic institutions involvement in the development of the WIL program is that it provides the organization with the valuable information about the students needs, purpose, expectati ons, and the mode of assessment and feedback (Gibson, et al., 2008). Tse (2010) suggests that work integrated learning programs for hospitality management students aim at nurturing them by identifying and developing the necessary competencies needed in the real workplace. As such, the primary objective of the WIL program is to enhance students employability and not their academic performance. And for the program to be successful, each stakeholder has to play a specific role. Wilkins, et al. (2007) believes that the best WIL placement program is that which involves the hosting organization from the start and demonstrates an obvious commitment to the learning outcomes of the students. In that sense, the hosting business does not view students as sources of cheap labor but as potentials in the current dynamic business environment. In the hotel and hospitality sector, organizations need to play the role of promoting work-integrated learning experience as that offers an ideal opportunity for leaders to create long-term relations and a greater capability to meet the changing needs of the industry. The success of the training programs depends on the competence of trainers, and their ability to create strong interpersonal relationships and a supportive workplace. The table below outlines the necessary skills and knowledge of competent mentors. Table 2: Skills and knowledge of mentors Skill and Knowledge Trainer Interpersonal Patient, empathic, honest, compassionate, and open and friendly Communication Skilled in collaborative aspects of conflict resolution and understand both verbal and nonverbal style of communication Responsiveness Good listeners and can understand all that is said and unsaid Competence Updated with current trends as well as recent research. Versatility Flexible and comfortable relating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Acknowledges the diversity in the points of view Contemplative Self-reflective and possess strong supervision skills. Utilize past experience to build on the current situations Source: Solnet, et al. (2009) The main purpose of the Work Integrated Learning placement program is to nurture students and develop their interactive skills beyond what they have gained in their academic institutions. Furthermore, helping students to acquire practical skills through this program creates within them, a sense of self-control and professionalism necessary in the current workplace. Bibliography Baker, L. 2014. Enhancing Employability Skills and Graduate Attributes through Work Integrated Learning. 2013 Postgraduate Research Papers: A Compendium. 2014, p. 51. Gibson, E., et al. 2008. Towards the Development of a Work Integrated Learning Unit. Sydney: Macquarie University, 2008. Groenewald, T. 2004. Towards a Definition for Cooperative Education. [book auth.] R.K. Eames, C. Coll. International Handbook for Cooperative Education: An International Perspective of the Theory, Research, and Practice of Work Integrated Learning. Boston: World Association for Cooperative Education, 2004, pp. 17-25. Smith, Calvin. 2012. Evaluating the Quality of Work Integrated Learning Curricula: A Comprehensive Framework. Higher Education Research Development. 2012, Vol. 31, 2, pp. 247-262. Solnet, D. and Hood, A. 2008. Generation Y as Hospitality Employees: Framing a Research Agenda. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 2008, Vol. 15, pp. 59-68. Solnet, D., et al. 2009. A Lodging Internship Competency Model: Enhancing Educational Outcomes through Work Integrated Learning. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education. 2009, Vol. 21, 4, pp. 16-24. Spowart, Jane. 2006. Hotel School Students' Views of their Preparation for Work Integrated Learning: An Exploratory Study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education. 2006, Vol. 7, 2, pp. 10-15. Tse, Tony SM. 2010. What do Hospitality Students find Important about Internships? Journal of Teaching in Travel Tourism Management. 2010, Vol. 10, 3, pp. 251-264. Wilkins, H.C., Merrilees, W. and Herington, C. 2007. Towards an Understanding of Total Service Quality in Hotels. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 2007, Vol. 26, 4, pp. 840-853.