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Showing posts with the label Business and Management

The Flawed Logic of China Fearmongering: A Rebuttal to Phillip Inman

 Phillip Inman's recent article, "World must be more wary than ever of China’s growing economic power,"  recycles tired Western anxieties about China's rise while ignoring the hypocrisy and self-interest driving these concerns. His arguments—framed as warnings—reveal not China's threats, but the West's inability to compete fairly in a changing global order.   Inman begins by praising Donald Trump's economic blockade against China, framing tariffs as legitimate tools of economic policy. This stance is baffling for anyone who believes in free markets. Tariffs artificially inflate prices, denying consumers access to the best goods at competitive rates. When governments impose such barriers, they don't protect their citizens—they impoverish them. The real victims are ordinary people forced to pay more for products that could have been affordable. Yet Inman celebrates these measures as if economic warfare benefits anyone but protectionist politicians.   His...

The New Principal

The air at Thika School, Kisumu, was thick with unease. A new principal had arrived—Mr. Kamau from Thika—and with him came the heavy weight of uncertainty. The staff whispered in hushed tones, their anxieties simmering beneath forced smiles. For the Kisumu teachers, the sting of disappointment ran deeper. Not only had none of their own been chosen for the position, but the head office had introduced Mr. Kamau in the worst possible way. The chief finance officer had stood beside him on that first day, scowling as he declared, "The laziness in this campus ends today." And Mr. Kamau, rather than reassuring his new staff, had echoed the sentiment—his opening speech laced with thinly veiled threats. A New Semester Begins Two weeks of holiday had done little to ease the tension. On the first day of the new semester, Ochieng arrived early, sacrificing his cherished morning workout just to make a good impression. Yet, his effort was wasted. Mr. Kamau had already signed the attendance...

Give Me Feedback

David sat on his sofa, the dense mattress cushions feeling as hard as plain hardwood beneath him. For several days now, he had been trapped in the same routine—waking up early each morning, anxiously checking his phone and email inbox. The interview from days ago had filled him with hope that this might finally be the breakthrough he needed to escape his life of constant struggle. He was tired of surviving on scraps. He desperately needed change. The interview had gone well—at least in his estimation. He believed he had impressed the panel with his extensive knowledge of writing, media, and literature, making him an ideal candidate for any writer or editor position. Yet the expected call never came. Each day, he tried calling the interviewer, only to be blocked by the receptionist's repeated assurances that the HR manager would call him back. David desperately wanted to speak directly to the hiring manager, but some unspoken rule—whether the receptionist's own policy or a direc...

Multiculturalism: The Inescapable Necessity of Our Interconnected World

On November 11, 2018, the world marked 100 years since the end of World War I—a conflict that claimed over 20 million lives and decimated an entire generation. Yet, as memorials honored the fallen, a troubling irony emerged: the very ideologies that fueled that catastrophic war—monoculturalism and hyper-nationalism—are experiencing a revival in the 21st century. From the rise of exclusionary politics in Europe to the nativist rhetoric dominating U.S. discourse, societies are flirting with the same forces that once set continents ablaze. History’s lesson is unambiguous: Monoculturalism is not a recipe for peace, but a catalyst for conflict. The inability to tolerate difference—whether cultural, religious, or ethnic—has been a root cause of wars from the 18th century through WWII. Today, as globalization binds economies tighter than ever, the fantasy of cultural purity isn’t just regressive—it’s economically and socially impossible. The Flawed Case for Monoculturalism Proponents argue th...

Colonial Organizations: The Urgent Need for Democratic Leadership in African Workplaces

The play Amezidi by Said A. Mohamed is more than a historical drama—it is a mirror reflecting the persistent colonial-era management practices still plaguing African workplaces today. Set in colonial Tanzania, the play depicts a workers’ strike undermined by union leaders who betray their colleagues for personal gain, showcasing the toxic "divide and rule" tactics employed by oppressive management. Decades after independence, many African organizations—from factories to universities—still operate under these archaic, authoritarian structures. This article argues for a radical shift from colonial-style management to democratic, ethical leadership, particularly in professional environments like academic institutions. Research consistently shows that cohesive, participatory workplaces outperform authoritarian ones. Yet, as seen in Kenya’s local colleges and beyond, the legacy of Theory X management and divide-and-rule strategies continues to stifle productivity, innovation, and ...

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-J...

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 go...

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 s...