Cool for sale Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cool for sale - Essay Example When reviewing the PBS special report The Merchants of Cool, it was at first noticeable, in the lead photograph, that the youth group being displayed in the photos showed evidence of gender role changes which are not common in youth subcultures. The male teenaged individual in the forefront displays the words, J-Lo, in reference to the famous singer Jennifer Lopez, however the letter J is written backwards (pbs.org, 2008). This might reflect a deliberate attempt or testimonial against the mainstream music scene by showing their defiance against celebrity with the twisted representation of the singer’s name on his chest. Additionally, the youth has written on his chest, Kissy me with a heart displayed, showing apparently no remorse for the decision (pbs.org), something which would generally be limited to female display in traditional youth groups. Personal displays of body-art which borders on feminism, being displayed by a youth male, is very edgy and, in traditional youth gro ups, might lead to bullying by peers. Changes in how peers identify with themselves would radically change the marketing strategy of a corporate brand because it would limit the power of celebrity endorsements and a mass market effort might become only a niche market investment when it only appeals to smaller group subcultures. In 2004, the fast-food giant McDonald’s used Yao Ming, the famous basketball player, to appeal to youth buyers and found considerable success (Hargrave-Silk, 2004). This would likely not be effective due to changes in youth attitudes today.

Managing in an Inclusive Environment Diversity Essay

Managing in an Inclusive Environment Diversity - Essay Example Meisinger 2007 State of Workplace Diversity Management Report conveys that a survey with 1400 HR Professionals reveal that 52 percent of the respondents believe that diversity practices accomplish specific business objectives to a large extent. Still, these respondents had stated that diversity management remains a challenge because, diversity management field is not well-defined or understood, focuses too much on compliance, and places too much emphasis on ethnicity and also on gender. Creating an Inclusive work environment pays. By bringing about diversity programs an organization can create such environment. There are at least 19 business houses, which have taken seriously and brought in enviable diversity programs. These efforts include such interventions like giving women of color access to variety of support networks, extending leadership development programs to minority groups and diversity workshops to managers Chubb Group of Insurance Companies have offered a comprehensive diversity initiative called 'Reach Up, Reach Out, Reach Down', in which high-potential employees of color receive management training and development opportunities. Almost a quarter of female employees who took advantage of management training last year were women of color. Compliance is no doubt an important factor. ... Competitive Advantage Experts are of opinion that there are valuable competitive advantage in employing diverse work groups and they offer seven good reasons why an organisation should have diverse workforce : 1. It is the right thing to do, both ethically and morally. 2. A diversity helps complying with the laws regarding issues of discrimination. 3. Having diversity in a company opens up marketing opportunities, because prejudice aspects of customers are substantially balanced 4. A diverse group of people provides better and varied ideas. 5. Companies want to hold themselves out as the employer of choice. 6. Diversity helps retain your people. 7. Diversity initiatives impact the bottom line. [MANUEL ESPINOZA, (2007), 6-2-2009()] Compliance with law Compliance is no doubt an important factor. US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), has observed that, particularly after the Sep 11 attacks , focus was on preventing workplace discrimination, harassment and backlash against innocent employees and applicants for employment who were, or were perceived to be, Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian or Sikh. Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 (ENDA, H.R. 3685) prohibits discrimination. Further, it would add 'Sexual orientation' to the list of protected groups, classified by race, religion, ethnicity, sex, age, disability and pregnancy. This would grant protection to gay men, lesbians and bisexuals against discrimination at the workplace. In the Constitution, free exercise of religion is an absolute right. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2007 (WRFA, H.R. 1431) involves accommodation of religious freedom in the workplace. Currently, under Title VII of the Civil