PART I . Cirque du Soleil
Questions for Discussion
1. Why is Cirque du Soleil successful throughout the world? Why does the product transcend culture differences between countries?
>> Cirque du Soleil is successful because they perform not only for money but also to help other people, and the members are committed and sensitive when it comes to culture differences because the members themselves came from different countries.
2. How do the cultural influences discussed in Figure 4–1 influence organizational behavior at Cirque du Soleil?
>> Community participation and outreach bring international goodwill and help Cirque du Soleil prevent many of the difficulties global brands often face when spanning cultures. Cirque has little need to adapt its product to new markets, the product is alreadya blend of global influences.
3. Why is it important for Cirque du Soleil to be a good corporate citizen? How does ethnocentrism relate to fulfilling this role?
>> Cirque purchases and shares a large collection of art with employees and gives them tickets to different event and shows. . Cirque allocates 1% of its revenues to outreach programs targeting youth in difficulty, regardless of location in the world.
Part II. Generation Next Changes the Face of the Workplace
Questions for Discussion
1. Why is addressing this issue so important? Shouldn’t workers adjust to meet the needs of their employers?
>> Deloitte has retained over 700 employees who would have left saving nearly $100 million in employee turnover costs. According to Smith, this worker trend is more than just a “phase of life’ issue and countering its effects is not an option, it’s a reality.
2. What can employers who can’t afford such extensive programs as the Deloitte organization do to address the changing preferences of their younger workers? What would you like to see your employer or prospective employer do to address your wants and needs to retain you?
>> Deloitte provides young workers with confidential career counselling as well as online tools that allow them to learn about their strengths and weaknesses . Employers are trying to adapt to these younger worker preferences. They have no choice –due to basic supply and demand, as the Baby Boomers retire, there will be less and less workers to replace them.
Part III. Destination CEO: Clarence Otis: Darden Restaurants
Questions for Discussion
1. What prepared Clarence Otis for his position as CEO of Darden?
>> Clarence Otis changed his career to that of an investment banker. He moved to Darden in 1995 as Treasurer. Eventually Otis became the CFO and advanced to the role of CEO.
2. According to Otis, what is the key area for success for employees at the Darden company?
>> To remain relevant is the key, People who work for the Darden chains must be inspired and understand the corporate philosophy and its goals.
Part IV . One Smooth Stone
Questions for Discussion
1. How much of a part can values truly play in the success of a company like One Smooth Stone?
>> The company embraces the values of being smart, fast and kind and believes that if they deliver their services to their clients based on those three values, the clients will keep coming back.
2. What characteristics of One Smooth Stone make it necessary to have a flat and decentralized structure as opposed to a rigid, command and control hierarchical structure?
>> One Smooth Stone hires highly skilled and empowered workers to work in teams on customized client projects. These employees work in a decentralized and relatively flat organizational structure. This is necessary to fulfill the frequently changing and adapting needs of their clients.
>> One Smooth Stone provides; an understanding of the culture at One Smooth Stone and how they deliver the services; and ensuring that the personal skills and personality matches up with the client.
Part V. Leadership: Making Decisions during Hurricane Katrina
Questions for Discussion
1. What model of decision making did the Sisters of Holy Angels have to rely on to guide them through the hurricane tragedy?
>> The sisters of Holy Angels are forced to make decisions under critical conditions, life and death situations often really make us have more courage than the usual and this is why they have made such decisions.
2. What part do you think intuition and creativity played in each of the Sisters’ stories? Explain how.
>> The storm was headed for the superdome and the shelter has many elderly and frail nuns so she decided to threaten the reluctant driver to take them to safety.
>> One of the sisters says that there is generally two choices in situations such as these : just jump in and fix it or give upon on it.
>> The soldiers was asked by the sisters to lead the prayer to help those who were the first responders of the search and rescue efforts in New Orleans.
