Journal 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Journal 2 - Essay Example On my visit, I discovered that the local mosque serves as a community center of sorts for people of the Muslim faith and, indeed, Islamic culture. It is a place for them to gather and be reminded of who they are and where they come from. The person spending time with me at the Mosque told me that it is not at all uncommon for them to have numerous gatherings where members socialize, eat, and reminisce about their own culture. Americans who are Islamic in the area find the Mosque to be a great place to learn more about a faith that is not widely practiced in the United States. In addition, they learn much about the culture of Islam and can transform themselves into another place and time. It certainly seems to be a wonderful way to bridge two cultures together and to achieve a balance between varying perspectives. Visiting my local Islamic Center was truly a cultural immersion experience because little at the Mosque resembled my own culture. Indeed, visitors can really transform themselves into Islamic culture from the time they enter the building. This experience opened my eyes to a faith, culture, and people group that I admit I had little understanding about. It was not an experience in religious dogma. In fact, we talked very little about the religion of Islam. Rather, we focused on discussing issues of culture and how the West perceives those who are from a Middle Eastern, Arabic, or Islamic background. It was a healthy exchange of ideas, tempered with respect, and one that was both enlightening and educational. Part of learning to appreciate other cultures is being able to simulate their feelings, emotions, and way of life (Nieto & Bode, 2012). Spending this time at the Islamic Center one afternoon and observing the comings and goings of the members was truly like witnessing another culture in action. The knowledge I gained enables me now to

Starbucks Canada Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Starbucks Canada - Case Study Example There are several important criteria that should be taken into account while assessing various mobile payment options. To begin with, it is the compatibility with the devices that the company and the clients have. It has been mentioned before that a significant number of clients use iPhones, but they will be useless in case Starbucks Canada engages NFC technology. On the other hand, an introduction of the Bluetooth beacons it difficult as well since the company in question does not have them and will have to order them.The second criteria are the amount of money that introduction of technology will cost. For example, should Starbucks Canada rely on the software which was developed in house, it will require the minimum cost for upgrade of the equipment and this will not result in significant expenses? On the other hand, installation of BLE beacons will require the assistance of a professional who is paid $50 per hour. If one multiplies this amount of money by the number of stores that will have to be equipped with beacons, one will realize that it will result in significant expenditures.The cost training of the personnel should also be taken into account. While some options provide an outstanding experience for the customers (they will be able to pay for their coffee without even taking their smartphone out of their pocket), the same option might cause so difficulties for the employees of Starbucks. In order to be able to avoid them, they will have to be trained and this will require both time and money.