Change

 

Everyone at the school was anxious. A new principal had arrived, and that meant change. The fear of the unknown had gripped everyone. Like life, life at the school seemed bleak.

Beside this uncertainty, disappointment also reared its face around the teachers' hearts. It was ridiculous that nobody from Kisumu had been chosen for the principal's position. The new principal was from Thika, which made the Kisumu staff feel undermined and disrespected. Moreover, the method the head office used to introduce the principal had not served him well. The chief finance officer had arrived with him, blazing fire and declaring how lazy the Kisumu staff was. The new principal appeared to adopt this subjective view, as his first speech to the staff he barely knew was full of threats.

Two weeks of holiday  passed, and a new semester begun.

Ochieng made sure he arrived early at school that morning. He had missed his cherished morning workout just to be on time. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. Mr. Maingi was already in and had signed the attendance register. Anyone who signed after him was late. Ochieng was not a person to notice such things. While knowing well the significance of keeping time at work, lateness was something trifle that warranted no to minimal reaction from the management. He took the book and confidently penned his signature below the principal's, claiming he had reached school at eight in the morning. He then opened his office, sat at his desk, and started marking exams.

Marking exams was the worst experience in Ochieng's teaching career. He didn't enjoy any bit of it. He hated having to think for the students, that is, trying to validate their wrong answers. Being human and subject to human failings, he hated seeing students fail. Thus, he took his time to go through their papers and think like them. This process was cumbersome and mentally tortured him.

 Striking the right balance among right, almost right, and wrong answers was a decision he faced in every question of the hundreds of papers he marked. But this time, he had to do it. The deadline for submitting the results had long passed, and the new principal, who seemed to be a lover of diligence, was already on their case.

 For a moment, Ochieng wondered whether he would have time for the long lunches outside the school premises, which had become his norm. He believed stepping out of that work environment was beneficial to his motivation at work and health.

 Ochieng's colleagues had finished marking their papers. They were in the process of creating student mark sheets and finally submitting the results to the exams office. Most of them had arrived late that morning, only to be surprised to see Mr. Maingi's signature on the attendance register.

 It was their concern about this occurrence that aroused Ochieng's interest. He had never cared that the principal had signed the register, locking out others. It was a non-issue for him. However, now that his colleagues seemed alarmed, his interest in the matter grew.

 However, Ochieng had no time for idle chatter. His focus was on beating his Friday deadline for submitting the exam results. He put his head down and continued marking.

 Only Lydia's arrival caught his attention. He liked her both as a colleague and as a woman. She was simple, which aligned well with his value for simplicity. Besides, Lydia was attractive - tall and slim, with a small waist that he often imagined taking hold of.

 

But Ochieng was a cautious man. He feared women and kept his distance as much as he could.

 Lydia's reaction to Mr. Maingi's signature was sarcastic. "I hope these measures will increase enrollment," she retorted and walked away.

As she approached Ochieng's office, she checked to see if he was in. Ochieng rose up to meet her and embraced her tightly. She seemed more beautiful this morning - the short holiday had done her good. He held her so tight for a few minutes, unwilling to let go. Once he stopped leaning on her shoulders, he held her waist and looked into her eyes.

 Lydia blushed, pulled away, and started laughing to hide her shyness. Unwilling to push things further, Ochieng exchanged greetings with her casually and let her make her way to her own office.

 Mr. Maingi had called for a meeting with the top management. He was then to meet the entire staff after this initial meeting. The management meeting was long and drawn-out, lasting the whole morning until noon while the staff waited outside.

 "What could they be talking about for so long?" asked Doram, anxious about the prolonged discussion.

 Ochieng had grown tired of marking exams. He had gone for a plate of "chapo and beans" and was back in his office. He also couldn't help worrying about that meeting. It reminded him of his time at Maranda High, when the boarding master and deputy principal would lock prefects in similarly long meetings. When the prefects came out of those meetings, they were like wasps that had sensed danger.

Ochieng hoped this would not be the case here.

 Precisely two minutes past noon, the entire staff settled into Lecture Room 8. Everyone seemed anxious. They all settled in the back row, leaving only Ochieng and Jane, the exams secretary, in the front row.

 Ochieng jokingly dared his colleagues to come occupy the front seats, but they vehemently opposed the idea. The room became uncomfortably quiet as the staff waited for the top management officers and the principal to arrive.

 When Jesse arrived and settled on a seat reserved for management, Ochieng felt his heart skip a beat. Jesse had often avoided such seats, opting to sit with the staff in most meetings. This change in position signified a possible change in heart.

 The principal then walked in, and the meeting began.

Give Me Feedback

 David sat on his sofa. Even though the cushions were made of a highly dense mattress, they felt hard, like a plain hardwood bench. He had been doing the same thing for several days; waking up early every morning, observing his phone and the email inbox painfully. He had done an interview a few days ago and was very hopeful that this much-needed job opportunity would be the breakthrough in his life. He was tired of living on dregs and crumbs. He needed change in his life. 

 

 The interview had gone well, at least, according to him. He had left the panel amazed and in awe. He had gathered a lot of writing, media, and literature knowledge that made him suitable for a writer or editor position in any reputable organization. However, the call was not coming.

 

 In the past few days, he had made several calls to the interviewer. The receptionist kept telling him that the HR manager would call him. He desperately wanted to speak to the hiring manager. He wondered why he had to pass through the unbreachable barrier of the receptionist to reach the HR manager. The receptionist adamantly refused to let him speak to the HR manager. It was out of a will or a directive from the hiring manager.

 

 David’s life had stopped. He felt the organization was mulling over giving him feedback, which placed an unwarranted burden of expectation or hopes on him. “Usually, feedback for an interview is normally given a few hours after the end of the session," he thought. "If the organization dreadfully needed a person to fill that position, they must have communicated by now to the chosen person,” he continued. “However, why should they make other people who did not pass the interview wait?” David wondered. “This is torture,” he murmured. 

 

 Opportunities were rare. David was not in the habit of wasting them. That Tuesday evening, when the organization called him for the interview found when he was cleaning his house. He had no money. The call came as a surprise. It also carried a lot of demands. He quickly needed to mobilize funds to facilitate the attendance of the interview. First, he asked the HR manager to try and postpone the interview for another day. The one-day notice for the interview was short. His request fell on deaf ears. Thus, he embarked on seeking instant soft loans from friends and relatives.

 

 Fortunately, David raised the money. On the long-distance highway to Nairobi, he boarded the Easy Coach bus at ten and travelled with other passengers on the cold and shivery night. After seven hours of sitting, fidgeting, and stretching, they arrived at the Easy Coach waiting lounge in the misty Nairobi morning. His mouth was smoking cold breath. David cursed his memory for failing to remind him to wear a hood. The warm weather of Kisumu made him unaccustomed to dress codes involving hoods and jumpers. It was normal for him to forget these heavy attires. 

 

 He spent one hour at the lounge, which seemed like a day, waiting for Pauline, his cousin, to pick him up. Watching the boring channel on TV and passengers sleeping beside him made him feel awful. That place resembled the refugee camps he had seen in Italy on Al-Jazeera. He could not wait to leave there. Fortunately, Pauline arrived to pick him up by six. 

 

 Everything went well that day. The interview was good and left David very hopeful. That evening passed without David getting a call from the interviewer. This situation was understandable since the interview had been conducted that afternoon. It ended very late. It was too soon to get results. Therefore, he slept peacefully. 

 

 David had planned to visit his sister in Machakos the following day. It was over a year since he last saw her at their grandmother’s funeral in Migori. It was customary to pay courtesy calls to close relatives. Such calls depicted the love, care, and concern one had for the family. He scheduled that visit at around midday the following day. 

 

 David woke up around seven that Thursday morning. He found that his beloved spouse had called him twice. David knew what was troubling her. He called back. When she received the call, her first question was, “Dear, when are you coming back?” 

 

 He hated such questions after attending interviews. David despised the pessimism that accompanied such questions. They hugely suggested that organizations merely conducted interviews as formalities and were designed to fail people, which in his case, were nearly facts. He believed Caro felt his time in Nairobi was over after another formal and failed interview.

 

 He momentarily sat on his aunt's couch, staring blankly at the African gospel-music YouTube channel Pauline selected to entertain him. This song kept playing in his subconscious:

 

 “Sitabaki kama nilivyoooo” (I will never be the same) 

 

 He thought about how much music had been created to give people hope in the last few years. Prosperity gospel had taken centre stage in the teachings of most churches. Many people had turned to God, hoping their lives would get better. 

 

 David closed his eyes as tears welled up his eyes and murmured, "God I am sinner, but why punish me so much. Some people are even greater sinners than me. They live better and do not know trouble. Why me, Lord? Why me, Lord?" he finished and opened his eyes.

 

He spent that morning staring at his phone every five seconds. Time passed. There was no call except from his father, who repeated Caro's question, "when are you travelling back to Kisumu?" His hopes of ever getting positive feedback started dwindling tremendously. Later, he packed his bags and left for Machakos.

 

 After spending a night in Machakos, David left early in the morning for Kisumu. He arrived on a Friday to a warm welcome from his wife and ailing daughter, who had missed so much that she became sick. The love and smiles of the family were enough to liven his beaten heart. He kissed his ladies softly and promised to toughen up the following day. 

 

 Keeping this promise became hard. Days passed without David getting a response from the interviewer. He grew anxious and agitated. His desire to know the result of the interview so that he could kick start his life once again overwhelmed him. 

 

 He recalled the 2018 hit Indian movie titled Padmaavati. This religious Guru tests Padmaavati by asking her, “what is the hardest moment in a person’s life?” She replies, “waiting for results after a test.” Now, more than ever, David concurred with Padmaavati. 

 

 He recalled seven years ago as an intern at the Ugunja Sub-county Public Health office. His supervisor had once told him, "feedback is the breakfast of champions", when he failed to report to her one evening. Now he had learned the importance of feedback and promised never to delay giving it. 

 

Multiculturalism: A Necessity

 

As the world marks 100 years since the end of World War I, there are fears of the rising demand for monoculturalism in the US and Europe. People must remember that monoculturalism was a principal cause of the rampant wars raving Europe in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Most importantly, people have forgotten that monoculturalism was a primary cause of the first and second world wars.

Even today, the primary force behind the many global conflicts is monoculturalism, the inability to tolerate and respect other people and their different cultures. Fortunately, today, 11th November 2018, serves as a reminder that monoculturalism and a high-spirited nationalism are the critical ingredients for international wars, as they did over 100 years ago. Over 20 million people died in the first world war, virtually wiping out the young generations of that time.

Proposition for monoculturalism

 Proponents of monoculturalism argue that it is the only way to create peaceful coexistence in the world. They claim that people who share the same culture and heritage are more likely to live peacefully than people of different cultures.

This argument may be right. Observing the high crime levels in the metropolitan urban areas than the less diverse rural areas, one may believe this argument is valid.

However, the push for monoculturalism and limitation of diversity is a vanity venture. Humans are interdependent. Their communities and societies are interdependent. Nations are also interdependent.

Interdependence makes multiculturalism a necessity

 The interdependent nature of humans as individuals, communities, or societies makes creating and maintaining monocultural nations and societies impossible. The presence of international trade; the need to produce goods on a large scale; and the need to maximize profits make humans interdependent, which advances multiculturalism.

International trade and multiculturalism

International trade is the exchange of goods and services across national boundaries. Comparative advantage makes international trade a necessity. Since different nations have different resources, they must rely on one another to meet their needs. For example, much of the world relies on the Middle East to meet its energy needs. Similarly, the Middle East relies on the US and Europe for expatriates to work in their energy industry.

Now, during these exchanges of goods and services across national boundaries, merchants and experts must travel and live in different countries to make trade successful. Local economies need them to promote local businesses. These merchants also need to be treated well and feel welcome. Thus, local people need to accept and respect these foreign merchants and experts to enjoy the benefits of international trade that improves their living standards.

Production and multiculturalism

As mentioned earlier, countries need industry experts to produce quality goods and services to make them profitable. Many foreign expatriates work in the energy, building, and construction industries in the Middle East. These expatriates have helped the Middle East tap into their energy resources efficiently, which has made them rich.

The US carries out an immigration program every year. It recognizes the benefits of immigrants in improving the creativity and innovation of a country, which results in increased economic growth and development through the production of various quality goods and services. Many US fortune 500 companies have foreigners as their CEOs. These companies perform well. Thus, they indicate that countries need foreigners to get talents and skills they cannot tap locally.

Africa is a continent rich in resources. However, it needs more capital to tap into these resources. Thus, Africa relies heavily on foreign investors to help it establish industries and use its resources. Investors come mainly from Asia, Europe, and North America. They help create industries that produce goods and services and offer employment to people. Thus, African countries must create conducive social climates for these foreigners to reap the benefits of direct foreign investments in their countries. They must encourage immigration.

Profit Maximization

The recent past has witnessed a rise in corporations whose primary objective is maximizing profits. One of the critical strategies in maximizing profits is reducing the cost of labour. Companies strive to reduce this cost by outsourcing cheap labour. Companies have taken out their production facilities to countries where labour is cheap. Others have opted to import cheap foreign labour. Thus, so long as profit maximization is the primary objective of corporations, outsourcing is necessary, and it promotes multiculturalism.

Conclusion

Multiculturalism is inevitable. Societies need different people to create robust economies that offer good jobs, produce goods and services, and develop. People depend on one another due to their differences. Thus, they must be close to one another to get the necessary help.

Colonial Organizations

I remember a book in Swahili that I read after finishing high school. The book is a play titled "Amezidi" by Said A. Mohamed. This play is set during the colonial periods in Tanzania at a particular firm where workers have gone on strike due to the poor working conditions, which they suffer at the hands of the firm's management. 

The strike was called and enforced by the firm's workers' union, chaired by a brave woman, the main protagonist of the play. Unfortunately, the protagonist's leadership faces many challenges due to betrayal from other leaders of the union, who secretly meet the management and negotiate better packages for themselves at the expense of the workers. The actions of the management and the few greedy leaders of the union show how the "divide and rule" rule policy is employed by the firm's management to oppress workers.

Sadly, colonial organizations still exist today, especially in African countries. In Kenya, workers still suffer at the hands of organizations' management.

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend who is a lecturer at a local college. He informs me of how the management of the college works with the Heads of Departments to stifle their voices in the organization and make their working conditions unbearable. Witch-hunting is the order of the day in the organization for dissenting voices. The rate of employee turnover in the organization is very high. Moreover, management comprises authoritative leaders who are not ready to tolerate different and diverse views on running the college. 

This occurrence reminds me of the theory X managers, defined by Douglas McGregor, a professor of management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Like the theory X managers, the management at the college where my friend works believes that lecturers lack the intellectual capacity to contribute heavily to running the organization. It assumes that the lecturers are lazy and high productivity can only be achieved when tightening the work conditions for the lecturers. Its cooperation with the Head of Departments (HODs) and exclusion of lecturers is a prime example of "divide and rule," a significant feature of colonial organizations. 

People must condemn colonial organizations and their "divide and rule" policies. Research and many studies have proved that cohesive organizations where people work cooperatively and with mutual respect are the best. Firms and managers should know that when their workforce is divided, their potential as managers and the potential of their firms are curtailed.

Concept Car Photography

Have you ever wondered why your dad never lets you drive his DeLorean DMC-12, Lancia Delta Integrale, Ford RS 200, BMW E30 M3, or Porsche 959? Do you ever wonder why your best friend is reluctant to give you his Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z2, Hummer H3T, Holden Coupe 60, or Isuzu D MAX? Nothing is as close to a man’s heart as cool cars and supercars. Men love cars and supercars. The great cars mentioned above, and much more, are products of concepts borrowed from the concept cars.

Concept Cars

Concept cars are made to show new styling or technology that an organization intends to apply to produce new car models. These cars help car manufacturing companies determine customers’ responses to new technologies or styles that may be used to develop new cars. Concept cars are typically displayed at motor shows that customers generally attend. There, customers observe the cars and give their opinions on the new technologies and styles presented by the concept cars. The first concept car, Buick Y-Job, was developed by Harley Earl, a car designer for General Motors, in 1938. 

Since then, several concept cars have been developed by car manufacturers to guide the development of their different models of cars for mass production. Other examples of concept cars are the Cadillac Cyclone, BMW GINA, Aston Martin Atom, Chevrolet Corvette Marko Shark, Ferrari Modulo, and the Ford Nucleon. 

Toyota FT-1

A modern example of a concept car is the Toyota FT-1, which is expected to influence the production of future Toyota cars. The Toyota FT-1 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2014. The development of this concept car was inspired by past Toyota sports and concept cars, such as the MR-2, Supra, 2000GT, and FT-HS. There was little information about the car. Only information about the layout of the rear wheel and the front engine was available. The car is estimated to cost $60,000 if its production is approved. 

 From a business perspective, the design of the Toyota FT-1 was motivated by the need for Toyota to compete with Lexus’ LFA and Scion’s FR-S. At that time, Toyota was the only brand in the market that had not produced a concept car. Therefore, Toyota awarded Calty Design Research the contract to help them design and develop the concept car. The estimated cost of developing is concept car is $1 million. Currently, Toyota FT-1 is still in the concept stage. In August 2014, its gray replica was displayed at the Monterey Jet Center in Monterey, California. 

Concept Car Photography

Concept cars not only contribute to the development of new models of cars, but they have also created several new jobs and industries, such as concept car photography. Today, several concept car photographers, such as the renowned Tim Wallace, have worked with many car manufacturers and brands, such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Dodge, Chevrolet, and Peugeot. 

 The need to reach many customers motivated the development of concept car photography. This is because many customers across the globe are unable to attend the motor shows where concept cars are usually displayed. Therefore, good, quality pictures of concept cars need to be taken for publishing in newspapers, magazines, and websites where customers can easily access them. The more customers a car manufacturer can reach, the better idea it can get about customers’ perception of the concept car. Most photographs of concept cars are typically displayed on their manufacturers’ websites or websites owned by car photographers, such as Tim Wallace.

 Concept cars are iconic. The main aim of concept car photography is to bring out this feature in the photos of concept cars. Concept car photography requires photographers who are creative and open to new ideas. 

Factors to Consider in Concept Car Photography

Prospective concept car photographers should consider the following factors to make sure that their works are of quality, which will help them attract many customers (car manufacturers):

Identify a concept car. 

This is because concept car photography is all about concept cars. Many “cool” cars are out there, but most are not concept cars. Concept cars are usually scarce. Most of them are destroyed by automakers sometime later, after their production. The few existing concept cars are found in the stores of car manufacturers. One should visit a car manufacturer and ask for permission to get access to and take photographs of their concept cars. Alternatively, one can attend motor shows where concept cars are displayed. There, you will find an easy opportunity to take photos of concept cars.

Identify the location of your photography session.

Photos of concept cars can be taken in different settings depending on the type of car. Some concept cars are good in natural settings, while others are good in unnatural settings. Roads, car parks, and driveways are good examples of natural settings. Exterior photos of concept sports cars are better displayed on open country roads than anywhere else. One can add the feel in this setting (country roads) by capturing the concept sports car in motion. However, since most concept cars are usually less mobile than regular cars, unnatural settings are preferred to natural settings for photo sessions. A large warehouse of a car manufacturer is a perfect example of an unnatural setting. One can convert it into a large studio and photograph a concept car. However, one should try to be adventurous to avoid clichéd shots. Regardless of your setting, the tone of your shots should complement the car’s color.

Consider the amount of light present in your environment. 

Natural light is the best source of lighting for photography. It is essential to time one’s shots during the twilight hours of the day. During these times, the sun reflects warmly on the concept car without creating the problem of harsh brightness. 

Apart from these, one should ensure one gets the right angles for taking photos. One should also capture every exterior and interior detail of the car. 

Remember, Concept cars are icons. Concept car photography should help maintain this status. The factors discussed above give direction on what one needs to do to maintain the high standards of concept car photography.

Investing in Gold

There are four main ways that people can invest in gold. First, investors can buy physical gold through gold coins or bullion. However, this form of investment has some problems. One needs a safe storage place and an insurance scheme for the gold. Second, investors can buy stocks in gold-producing companies or companies that supply equipment for gold mining. The problem with this type of investment is that one is exposed to operational risks and company management blunders. Thirdly, investors can join the exchange-traded gold funds. The problem with this investment is that high management costs and brokerage fees typically accompany the investment. Finally, an investor can buy gold certificates from a financial institution with some gold reserves. The problem with this investment is that when the financial institution becomes insolvent, one risks losing one’s investment.

 Besides that, many people wonder why people still invest in gold in this age. They do not see the purpose of gold in this age. They believe that the monetary qualities of the past, which were possessed by gold, are long gone. Currently, they view it as a barbaric relic that haunts the present for no reason. According to them, there is no necessary reason people should invest in gold. They are right that gold no longer possesses the monetary qualities of the past, but they are wrong in claiming there is no need to invest in gold.



In the past, gold was used as money because it was a widely accepted medium of exchange across cultures. It was followed by developing currencies backed by gold reserves in the government treasuries, popularly known as the gold standard. However, following the challenges of the 20th century (the Great Depression), many countries abandoned backing their currencies with gold. Gold was eliminated from the monetary system and lost its financial purpose.

 However, gold is currently an essential commodity in the modern economy. It is due to the reason that is discussed below. One realizes that many governments still hold their wealth as gold reserves. International financial institutions, such as the IMF, also have their wealth as gold reserves. Banks across the globe are also focused on increasing their reserves of gold. Why do they do so? Gold is one of the best preservers of wealth! This example explains the reason above. In 1970, one ounce of gold was valued at $37. In 2010, one ounce of gold was valued at $1,410.
 
 Therefore, individuals, institutions, and governments who preserved their wealth in the form of gold are today 40 times richer than when they were in 1970. Additionally, the person who had $37 kept as money cannot even afford today what went for $37 in 1970.
Therefore, it is advisable to invest in gold, especially if you want to remain prosperous. The prices of gold are always on the rise.

Say NO at Work

The workplace is similar to any other social environment where we encounter many situations. Some situations make us feel comfortable, while others make us feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable situations make us stressed and hinder our overall productivity in the workplace. Therefore, it is essential to avoid them to protect our health and productivity in the workplace. Fortunately, a simple “NO,” well-said, is one of the best ways to avoid these situations that make us uncomfortable. 

Situations That Need a No

 

 The boss needs you to do more work. 

 

Here are examples of situations in the workplace that we need to learn to say “NO” to:

1. Your boss assigns you a task that does not fit your job description. This assignment will likely take much of your time as it hinders you from performing the duties outlined in your job description. Moreover, you will realize that you do not have the skills to complete the assignment efficiently. It may cause you stress. You should reject it politely

2. Your employee comes up with an idea that is not considered a priority in the organization. The idea does not fall within the plan and budget of the organization at the moment. You should reject the idea politely. 

3. Your co-worker asks you to do something that conflicts with your values. For example, a co-worker wants sick leave, yet she is not ill. She asks you to help her to lie about it. On the other hand, you value honesty and integrity. You should reject her idea politely. If you fail to do so, you will remain tormented by the knowledge that you let down your standards of integrity.

4. Your boss asks you to do more work, yet you must go home because the official working hours are over. You love sitting at the dinner table with your family and helping your kids do their homework. You need to say no to this offer politely.

5. Your boss decides things about your work that has the potential of gravely affecting your life. For example, out of the blue, you are transferred to another branch of your company in another state. You have to say no to this transfer. Saying no, in this case, offers you the opportunity to get the reasons for your transfer from your boss. Additionally, you may end up staying at your present workplace. 

Saying No

 

 listening to the other party when having a conversation

 

We have briefly discussed some situations that require us to say no in the workplace. Additionally, we need to learn how to correctly say no to our bosses, co-workers, employees, and clients so that they do not develop the feeling that we are impolite, disrespectful and not team players. 

 For you to correctly say no, you need to have good communication skills, as outlined below:

1. You need to listen to the proposition being made to you. For example, if your boss asks you to work extra hours, listen to him without interrupting him. The ability to listen shows that you have respect for your partner in communication at the time. Additionally, it makes you collect points from the other speaker that you can use for your reply.

2. Begin your rejection of the proposition with appreciation. In the above example, you can start by saying, “thank you for considering me for the extra work.” 

3. Give reasons for rejecting the proposition. For example, “however, I will not be able to do extra hours because I have to help my children with their homework.” 

Saying no is necessary. However, make it polite.