Decision Making

In 3/15/10 class activity, our class had to make a decision for the test with 100% agreement. I believe that it is very difficult for everybody agrees with the one decision in one hour. Time runs fast, our entire class had to either come up with a decision or get nothing and stay of the beginning. We just came up with one decision for the last test and didn’t make a decision for the next test at the end.

I got a very bad scored in the essay part, so I really wanted to erase the essay, but some people against it. Most people tried to think of themselves only, but with the time run out, we got a final decision with 100% agreement. I think people realized that it was very little time left and they all believed that it was the best solution which I also agreed.

The great thing is that somebody emerged as a leader. She was really helpful through the decision making process. She tried to present problems and asked individual's respond. She never influenced people’s decision and we had freedom to think and make decisions. She did a great job.

We all tended to give idea that it was the best for ourselves so that the conflicts would come out. I chose avoidance and accommodation to handle the conflict. I agreed the final 2 solutions were the best choice and just hoped nobody against them, so I still have a chance to raise my grade on the second test. We didn’t come up with the decision for the next test because only one person against some ideas, but we didn’t have time to ask the person why wasn’t the best choice. I think the better way to make a decision is to split up into smaller groups, and every group comes up with 2 decisions, so we can discuss at the entire class. It is easier to come up a decision that everybody agrees, and less conflicts.

An Eggs-cellent Way to Plan

We had a class activity on egg planning to learn a group’s planning process. Our group succeeded at building the effective egg protector. Our method was to connect 5 straws by using as less as masking tape, and then put the remained 3 straws to around the raw egg by using tape too to protect the egg. Last step was to use one side of remained tape to around the egg, and the other side connect to the straw. So the egg, about 2 feet of masking tape, and 5 straws all connected in order to make a stripe as long as enough. We used all of the materials and did not waste anything. Our goal was to reduce the distance and collision from the egg to the floor, so the egg won’t break.

Actually, this idea did not come up first in our group planning, and we chose it finally at the last 8 minutes. We all thought of other ideas at first liked other groups did. We had several designs, but not everyone agree on the solution. The problem was whatever how we used the straws to protect the egg, but when we dropped the egg from a height of 10 feet, the egg would break anyway. One of our group member told us that his friend did it before by using the way which finally we chose, but he was not sure that whether his friend success or not. Most of us agreed that this was a smart idea and decided to use it because this way could reduce the distance. When we got the materials, we evaluated our plan: how long we would have if we connect the straws and tape. In the planning action, everybody involved to make it, so we were done very fast and still had time for testing. After we finished all the steps, we tested the outcomes by checking all the connected points.

Overall, I believe that our group did very well in the management planning process, and the performance as a team member was good. Everybody involved for the planning process. We heard each other’s ideas and gave feedback. We went through the planning process steps. Even though we did not choose a leader, a girl in out group liked a leader. She asked us if someone had any good idea, presented her designs, gave feedback and make the last decision.

Chinese Culture VS. American culture

Spending and saving habits

Chinese culture and American culture are very different. They have very unlikely spending and saving habits. The personal saving rate in China is very high (about 30%) compare to the US. Chinese's spending and saving habits were formed during the 1960s and '70s, an era when food and material goods were scarce and they couldn't waste or discard anything that could use. Most Chinese save as much as possible which about half of what they earn. Usually Chinese don't buy things on credit. If they borrow money and spend what they hadn't already earn, they will fell nervous. Credit cards are still rare in China and most people pay for everthing in cash. Chinese like to look for a bargain and it looks that haggling is a way of life. Also, Chinese usually give cash gifts to family members or friends on every new year, brithday or wedding. I thing that when Chinese feel more confident about social security, health and education cost, they will spend more money.

Americans have a high-debt culture, a culture of high credit card and installment balances. They like to spend money and can't save more. Some Americans even spend more than they earn. They like to use credit cards to purchase anything even major items. So it causes the personal saving rate close to zero. Also, Americans don't like cash gifts and they thing that cash is a less common gift because it's considered to be less thoughtful.