Understanding Baby Boomers

Generations X and Y are struggling to understand the Baby Boomer generation in much the way the Boomers tried to understand their parents and grandparents. The secret lies within the past pop-culture. Here is a video that explains the pop-culture during the early days of the Baby Boomers.
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Crash course in being Canadian

Last week we looked at being an Assyrian in Canada. But what about the Canadian culture itself? Here is a crash course.

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Being Assyrian in Canada

Here is a video made by an Assyrian in Canada. It looks at the issue of blended nationalities.

Culture Clash: LA and PR

If you have ever been to Puerto Rico you know that after midnight street lights are considered to be little more than yield signs. It’s not illegal to proceed even when a light is red. Consider this comical piece the next time you are caught off guard when your local culture differs from the prevailing culture.

Words and cultures

Words often mean different things in different cultures. This video is a comical look at how one word means something different in eastern and western cultures. It gives great insight into the frustration surrounding communication in a multicultural workplace. Of course, proper training can reduce or eliminate the communication problems. Enjoy the video.

Outsourced - "Rubber"
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Living in the traditional business culture

Every corporation has its own culture, and every department within a large corporation exhibits a sub-culture. Here is a video that shows the traditional supervisor. As you can see, this is one individual that would do better if he were to adopt behaviors of a contemporary leader.

The "N" Word

Much controversy has been generated this past week throughout North America concerning what has commonly been referred to as “The ‘N’ Word”. A debate ensued with the cast of ABC’s “The View” (see the video below) following a leaked tape of Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson using the word. Jackson had called for the word to be banned after an incident at the Comedy Factory in Los Angeles where comic Michael Richards had used the word (click here to see the Associated Press article).

As you can see from the debate emotions on this issue are high. People obviously have strong feelings that seem to be well thought out. Yet one must ask if this is a healthy debate.

It is probable nobody has the life experiences to fully understand both sides of the issue. However history tells us that allowing different rules for whites and blacks is divisive. How are arguments justifying use of the word by blacks while banning it from the vocabulary of whites any different from the argument that whites and blacks be assigned seats in different areas of a bus?

Granted, the word is extremely hurtful to people – we do not want to distract from that aspect of the issue. But isn’t defending its use by one class of people only continuing that hurt? Does it not cause us to dwell on the negative? Does it not keep the word in the common vocabulary for future generations?

We have seen what separate rules have gotten us in the past. Separate water fountains, separate schools, separate rest rooms, separate employment and housing opportunities, and more “separates”. Could creating separate vocabularies lead to more “separates”?

This posting is designed to spur dialog. How about joining us with you thoughts?

The advantages of being bi-racial

Popular American singer Cher brought the issue of having blended heritage to the forefront with her hit song “Half Breed” decades ago. With a growing number of individuals with blended heritage, the topic is now resurfacing. Here is a humorous look at the advantages one can experience in a black and white world.

Understanding Asperger

As Autism continues to grow, we are hearing more about Asperger syndrome. We have found this video that does a great job explaining what Asperger is all about.

The Emo Culture – from the Emo perspective

Yesterday we shared an introduction to the Emo culture. Today we are sharing a video from an Emo Kid that provides more insight about the culture. Please be warned, some may be offended by some of the language, but we have never complained to be politically correct.




Here is a musical video providing even more insight.

Understanding Autism

A growing culture is part of the Physical Abilities culture category. This video, “Living with My Autistic Son”, gives moving and personal insight into the living situation that shapes this culture. As you watch the video and formulate thoughts about those with autism, be sure you take the time to notice the love that connects child and parents.

Being Asian in a White Country

Laugh along with this video as you learn what it is like to be an Asian in a white dominated country.

Freddie Ravel uses music to bridge culture

Experiential learning works best when it involves as many senses as possible. Freddie Ravel has a unique talent at being able to use his skills as a professional musician, experience with multiple cultures, and skills as a top motivational speaker. He combines these talents to make a lasting impact in the lives of all who hear him. Watch this endorsement by Jack Canfield to learn more - then be sure to consider Freddie for one of your conferences.

Understanding Generation Y

We came across this video on You Tube and found it to be excellent insight into Generation Y.

Korean Tea culture

In Korea, tea is much more than a beverage – it is a culture. Watch this short video to see the beautiful tea landscapes in Korea. You will see how a culture stimulates sight and taste as you gain an understanding of the calming effect of tea.

TEN: Networking with a value proposition

Octavio Pitaluga has developed a value proposition for all of those interested in doing business internationally. Hear about TEN’s multicultural approach to networking and learn how it may benefit you.

What is Islam?

Here is an informative video providing insight about Islam.



For more information about Islam, visit our Muslim Cultural Bridge.

Teaching products based on culture

Here is another vintage television commercial that presents a cultural lesson for today’s culturally conscious business person. This commercial introduced a new product by showing its versatility. The commercial is definitely targeting stay-at-home moms, which were the majority of households when the ad aired in the 1950s.

If you don’t think this commercial was successful, consider this: doctors are still trying to dissuade people from using the product to clean ears, mentioned twice in the commercial, half a century later.

Why to grow globally

Investment analysts are increasingly aware of social investment issues, says Alan Harper, VodafoneGroup Strategy Director. They are also very conscious of 'growth', which is beginning to come from new developing markets.

The Dreamer 40 years later

It was forty years ago today that the life of Martin Luther King, Junior, was gunned down at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis. James Earl Ray tried to silence this powerful leader, but failed in his attempt. Yes, he stilled the heart that inspired so many to understand the future was brighter than the past. However King's words are immortal.

Most immortal of all words are those King used on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Although people discuss the words and phrases in this speech, there is much more to it that makes it one of the best, if not the best, speech ever given. Watch the video and notice something you do not see in today’s leaders. Although he starts with notes, when he progresses he stops referring to the notes or the use of a teleprompter. It is made from his mind and heart – a feat that shows how deeply he believed in the vision he was sharing with those that had gathered.



MBC Global takes King’s word to heart. Our cultural bridges are based on the cultural dominions that make up the content of our character. When you look at the bridges you will notice that virtually everyone has filled each aspect of character differently. Together, these aspects blend to make the content of character so eloquently identified by King.

The revival of Opera?

The world of opera has experienced the loss of some of its greatest performers over past years, causing many to wonder if the art itself would suffer irreparable harm.

Before you fall into the trap of agreeing the curtain is falling, consider Paul Potts, a mobile telephone salesperson from Wales.

He stunned the audience of the television program Britain’s Got Talent, as seen in the video below. Watch the video twice. First listen to the wonderful singing – even if you have never heard opera before the beautiful tones will bring a tear of happiness to your eye.

Second watch to see the audience reaction. Leading the standing ovation was not the traditionalist generation, but hip-hop and pop loving Generation X. If legend is correct, they should have walked out when he started singing or stick iPod headphones in their ears to hear the latest Green Day release. Instead they too were captivated by Potts’ stirring performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLF9iEXnBRo

To further prove the point, listen to this virtual duet featuring Paul Potts and Pavarotti.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBbf3cy_wYM

As long as people like Potts are around, opera will survive. He brings a highly sophisticated art to the appreciation requirements of multiple cultures.

Celebrating cultural success

If you want to connect to the emerging cultures in your neighborhood or across the globe, one proven method is to celebrate their successes. Take a look at the commercial below.

This 1960s ad campaign was used by the Philip Morris Company to grab market share in their highly competitive product line. It was a huge success as women wanted to be associated with the product. Why this one over the others on store shelves? Because they created an image that their product was not only a celebration of the advances in their culture, but it was the first of the product line to meet their specific needs.



What can you celebrate about the cultures with whom you want to connect?

Poor offer business opportunity

Those of you that think only the middle and upper income cultures are viable for building business need to listen to this interview of Julio Moura, CEO of GrupoNueva, a holding company for businesses through the South, Central, and North America. Moura sees the poor as an economic culture representing part of the solution to building business in the 21st century.

The end of a cultural icon: Polaroid Film

Polaroid has struck a tear with Builders and Baby Boomers when they announced the stoppage of film production. Unless another company buys the rights to make the film, it will cease to exist after next year.

Myth Debunked: The camera did not get it's popular name from its early days, Polaroid "Land" Camera, because the reflection of water prevented developing the film. It's monacker was due to the fact that inventor Edwin Land developed the process to polarize light on film.

In the early 1960s Eastman Kodak discovered the advantages to marketing specifically to the growing baby boomer generation. The Brownie Starmite camera was an affordable way for the builder generation to introduce their children to photography. Polaroid answered in the following decade with “The Swinger”. Bikini-clad Ali MacGraw showed how much fun it was to have a fully developed picture in only seconds. Best of all it sold for only $19.95, making it one the most affordable cameras Polaroid had ever made.

In the 1990s Polaroid survived, much to the surprise of many analysts, serious financial problems and the advent of the digital camera age. However even the instantaneous nature of Polaroid film and cameras cannot compete with even more instantaneous digital photography.

Time marches on and a generation that already said goodbye to revolutionary technology like the Sony Betamax, Vegomatic, Seal-a-Meal, 8-Track tapes, and Commadore 64 will say goodbye once again.

Play the Swinger commercial.

Looking at customers that want cheap

As the eyes of the world are tuned to America’s Super Bowl, we thought we would share a lighthearted video with you. It shows the negotiation skills of the frugal culture.

This economic culture is always looking for a bargain. They are will to undergo almost any level of pain in order to save money. Long lines, extended driving distances, eating early, getting up in the middle of the night, are all within this culture’s willingness for a good deal.

The video shows what we mean.