Author Archives: Anne Thornley-Brown, M.B.A. @executiveoasis

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Germany: Back to Bacharach – A Personal Pictorial Journey

Last year, I did a feature about my return to Mainz where I had not returned since spending a 4 day layover when I was a summer flight attendant at university. During that trip, I took a cruise along the Rhine and spent the day exploring Bacharach, a beautiful walled, medieval town.

Bacharach was spared the Allied bombing during World War II so some buildings that are over 1000 years old have been preserved. In fact, while the name Bacharach was first recorded in a 9th century AD document, settlement in this region dates back to before the Romans who originally planted the beautiful vineyards along the Rhine.

Two weeks ago, while I was in Frankfurt for IMEX 2013, I took the train and went back to Bacharach. I had hoped to re-trace my original journey but it was rainy and much too cool for a cruise.

Brief Stop In Oberwesel

I didn’t realize it but the conductor approached to collect tickets just as we pulled into the station. This distracted me so much that I missed my stop. I got off at Oberwesel, the next stop. It was a blessing in disguise and one of those divine appointments.

Hans Walter Missbichler from Austria was the only person who got off when I did at Oberwesel. He told me that the train to go back to Bacharach would not be arriving for another hour. As my time was limited, he called a taxi for me and we conversed while I waited.

Getting Back to Bacharach

I shared with him the fact that I was returning to the town that I had visited when I was at university and I was gathering information and taking photos of some of the historical buildings for a Cvent Blog feature. He shared the fact that he is also a writer and that his main profession is restoring historical buildings. He had, in fact restored Posthof Bacharach, the original post office at Bacharach with buildings dating back to 1724. It was a holiday in Germany (Pentecost) so he offered to accompany back to Bacharach and volunteered to be my tour guide. After a short taxi ride, we were there.

Behind the Scenes in Bacharach

We spent the whole afternoon and part of the evening exploring the town. He took me behind the scenes to many places I had missed on my first visit and that visitors don’t usually see in Bacharach.

These building were once the stables at Rathaus, the old city hall. The wine press dates back to 1893.

We climbed up many stairs…yes I was out of breath …..and snapped this and other gorgeous views of the Rhine.

Postof Restoration

As we stood overlooking Bacharach, I snapped a photo of Posthof Bacharach below, the original post office, and Walter described the 2 year UNESCO funded project through which he restored this landmark with buildings dating back to 1579.

Natural building materials like clay and wood were used in the restoration which followed the original plans. Care was taken to optimize the level of air conditioning and heat to preserve the original material from decay.

On the way back down the hill, we explored the ruins of Wernerkappelle that was built in 1289 and took in some beautiful views of the vineyards.

We explored some of the side streets in Bacharach and I welcomed the opportunity to get some great photos of some of the oldest buildings in Bacharach.
The photo on the right is behind the scenes at Alt Haus. This red and white building is one of the oldest in Bacharach, dating back to 1368.

You can see some of the photos I took of the historical buildings and read descriptions on my Cvent Blog post entitled Bacharach, Germany An Ancient Hidden Gem.

We then stopped in at Posthof Restaurant where I was introduced to the owner and I had an opportunity to get a close-up view and take photos.

The external structure has been preserved. The wooden spiral staircase is one of the oldest in Germany.
The restaurant, which used to be the stable, was restored through a meticulous process.  The stones were numbered and removed. Roman style heating was installed in the floor. They were then replaced in the correct sequence.

Exploring the City Wall

After a snack, we explored we headed to the city wall.  It was fun to explore the wall.  Construction began in  and 1344 and was completed by 1400.

The arches under the city wall were once they only access points to the city from the Rhine. That is why the city was so secure that it was protected  from invaders for hundreds of years.

Hotel, houses and restaurants are built right into the wall


Before the railroad came through, this would have been a peaceful vantage point from which to relax in the evening and enjoy the view of the Rhine.

When it was time for my “guide” to catch his train back to Oberwesel, he showed me where the train station was located. Since my train was to leave for an hour I took the opportunity to dine at a Weinstube for the first time. Portions were generous and if this was a light supper, I don’t know what a heavy meal would look like. When I left to catch my train, the owner had her grandaughter who spoke English chase after me. They packaged my substantial leftovers for a snack on the way back to Frankfurt.

If you’ve ever longed to return to a place from your youth, now that I have done it a couple of times, I can tell you it’s worth it. It took many years but I’m glad that I had a chance to go back to Bacharach and explore the many sites that I had missed during my first visit as a young flight attendant on layover.

My company offers team building retreats in many of the destinations in the 23 countries that I have had the privilege of exploring.

Visit Executive Oasis International Website

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Has Volkswagen Stereotyped Jamaicans with its “Be Happy” Super Bowl Ads?

Today’s post is a departure from our usual focus. I’m taking time out to deal with the controversy that has developed about Volkswagen’s Super Bowl ads.

Has Volkswagen Stereotyped Jamaicans with its “Be Happy” Super Bowl Ads?

The short answer to that question is no “definitely not”. I am Jamaican and in no way shape or form am I offended by the ads.  The ads, which feature international Jamaican reggae star Jimmy Cliff, are  light and funny. Sure, they’re somewhat silly, but so what? Humour is meant to be silly.

The bottom line is that the ads are positive. How anyone can object to a message encouraging people to put some happiness into their day is beyond me?  As a Jamaican, if I am going to be stereotyped, I would rather be stereotyped as a positive person with a bright outlook on life than an angry person. I LOVE the line “turn that frown the other way around”.

Take a peek:

Certainly, people in Jamaica don’t go around smiling, singing and dancing all day long. (Anyone who thinks this after viewing the commercial is lacking in the gray matter department.) However, there is an approach to life that seeks to move beyond negative experiences and strive for more positive outcomes. This has allowed a nation that has faced a number of struggles including slavery, economic challenges, and natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to get through tough times and keep on moving.

The Jamaica Tourist Board has endorsed the ads.

McNeill described the commercial as a tribute to the popularity of reggae music worldwide, while saluting reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff for being a true Jamaican ambassador through his outstanding music.” I urge persons all across the globe to do exactly what the commercial portrays, which is to tap into your inner Jamaican and ‘get happy.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Wykeham McNeill endorses VW Super Bowl commercial

I have just done a quick Google search and it is telling that, at the time of writing, not even one major media outlet has carried news about this endorsement so far. There has been plenty of airtime given to American journalists and ad agency reps. who object to the ads.

I don’t speak for all Jamaicans. I can only speak for myself. I am sure that there may be some Jamaicans who don’t like the commercials. People will always have different points of view.  Also, none of  the Jamaicans I know are offended by the ads.

Update: Even the Prime Minister of Jamaica has come out in support of the ads:

Considering all of this, the reaction of some American journalists to the second commercial is somewhat confusing.

Here are some examples of negative media reaction.

Here are reactions from some of the people in Jamaica who were shown the ads:

More Jamaicans React

Update: In the interests of balance I have found one Jamaican, Christopher John Farley Wall Street Journal journalist, who had some concerns.

If, by and large, Jamaicans, the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaican media outlets don’t have concerns about the commercials, why are American journalists crying racism?

Some of the reactions show that these individuals are highly misinformed about Jamaica. Some seem to have a problem with a White man speaking with a Jamaican accent. Frankly, the actor has done a pretty good job. He never represents himself as a Jamaican. It is clear that he is a man from Minnesota speaking with a Jamaican accent.

The comments made by Barbara Lippert from MediaPost.com were particularly disturbing. Referring to a Jamaican accent as a “Black accent” totally misses the mark. Charles M. Blow, New York Times columnist, made equally offensive comments by referring to the ads as being “like “blackface with voices”. Give me a break. Just who is doing the stereotyping?

Newsflash! Jamaica is a racially diverse society, Jamaica’s National Motto is “Out of Many One People”. Jamaicans come in all races, colours, and shades. Our history is a rich tapestry of the ethnic backgrounds of our ancestors who have come from all over the world. When Jamaicans shake their family trees many are likely to find ancestors from a number of backgrounds including African, Taino, English, Scottish, Irish, Chinese, Lebanese, and East Indian. There are many White and Chinese Jamaicans.

When, Barbara Lippert asked “What does Jamaica have to do with Germany?” (as Volkswagen is a German brand), she showed a lack of awareness of Jamaican history. First of all, Volkswagens have been very popular in Jamaica. Years after they disappeared from North America, Volkswagen Bugs were in good repair and being driven on the streets of Kingston.

Clearly Barbara is not aware that some Jamaicans do trace their ancestry to Germany.

This article from The Gleaner, Jamaica’s daily newspaper that has been published since 1834, traces the presence of Germans in Jamaica back to 1778:

The article discusses the fact that, under a practice known as “bountied European immigration”, 64 Germans migrated to Jamaica in May, 1834. Many followed in their footsteps. In 1835, for example, 250 German immigrants were settled on Lord Seaforth’s Estate. Today this area is known as Seaforth Town.

This video takes you on a virtual journey to Seaforth Town and traces the history of some of the first Germans to migrate to Jamaica.

Other Germans were settled in the mountainous areas of parish like St. Ann. For the most part, they have intermarried with the local population that is predominantly Black.

I would strongly recommend that, before journalists and ad agency representatives make ignorant comments that reflect poorly on their employers, they take the time to do even a simple Google search and get their facts straight. If this is too difficult, perhaps media outlets should make a point of having more diverse teams. If you’re going to cover Asia or the Middle East, a couple of journalists who are familiar with those areas would be an asset to your team. If you plan to cover or speak out about topics related to the Caribbean, perhaps it would be a good idea to have some writers from the Caribbean on staff. (If you’re reading this blog post, please note, that I am Jamaican, based in Toronto, and up for the challenge.)

Some journalists just didn’t do their homework. Volkswagen did their homework. They consulted about 100 Jamaicans before they released the ads on Youtube.

So, if Jamaicans, by and large, aren’t offended, what is all the fuss about? I have no idea. If Jamaicans aren’t complaining, what’s the problem? I assure you, as Jamaicans, we are perfectly capable of speaking out about what we find offensive.

Some journalists and ad agency representatives are best to speak out about issues related to their own cultures if they have no understanding of the dynamics of other cultures.

Getting back to Barbara Lippert and Charles M. Blow, I wonder if they would have a problem with Mad White Jamaican who addressed the issue of stereotyping in his Youtube video that has gone viral:

Strong language alert. It’s funny but he is quite worked up about this issue.

Mad White Jamaican:  I’m really Jamaican (Video)

Update: Here  a real White Jamaican, Mad White Jamaican, responds to the Volkswagen “Be Happy” Commercial

Mad White Jamaican Re-mixes Volkswagen commercial.

In that regard, I would like to end by quoting a Jamaican proverb:

“Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight“.

Translation: Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you. In other words, “Mind your own business”.

Anne Thornley-Brown is the President of Executive Oasis International, a Toronto based management consulting firm specializing in team building, executive retreats, and corporate event planning. Services are offered in 12 countries including Jamaica.

Anne’s writing has been featured on a number of outlets including Incentive Magazine and Cvent Blog, where she contributes 5 times a week. She has been interviewed on CBC Radio One and by a number of publications including the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, the National Post, Profit Magazine, Canadian Business Magazine, The Times of India, and China Business Review.

Anne is also a professional actress and she has appeared in commercials for Casinorama, Canadian Women’s Foundation, and the Canadian Parapalegic Association. Her TV credits include the “Brothers” episode of Street Time in which she got to work with Giancarlo Esposito, the “All Around the Town” episode of the Mary Higgins Clark Mysteries, and the “Complicated” episode of the TV series Doc starring Billy Ray Cyrus.

Other Jamaican Bloggers Weigh in on Volkswagen Super Bowl Ads:

Also see:

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Jamaica Join me for a Mental Vacation

Jamaica – My Personal Picks to Beat the Winter Chill

Now I really can’t complain. There hasn’t been much snow this year. I’ve only had to scrape a little bit of snow off the car once and I haven’t had to shovel the driveway at all.  Yet, Toronto is in a deep freeze again and it’s expected to last for a week.
Before cabin fever has a chance to set, I think it’s time to take a mental vacation in  Jamaica. You’re welcome to join me.

Gardens and Waterfalls

In fact, whenever I need to get my mind off something unpleasant (like Friday when I had to get a dreaded needle  for some tests) this is where I go to distract myself. When I come into money, I’ll buy it myself. (One must be positive you know.)

Rafting

The other way to float your cares away is on the Rio Grande or the Martha Brae….rivers that is. With the new road on the North Coast, getting there is faster and easier than ever. Sit back and float along.

Beach Ride on Horseback

Here is another incredibly relaxing adventure that awaits you on the water. Wow, I’m glad I’ve hit the gym since then, so that I look less like a beach ball. Still I was happy and I always have fun on the beach ride.

Polo

Speaking about horses, can anything be more fun than the fast action of polo. I snapped this shot at Drax Hall.

Ruins Restaurant and Ocho Rios

I can think of no place I would rather dine when in Jamaica than at Ruins in Ocho Rios.

Friends and Family in my Hometown

When all is said and done, my favourite part of going back to Jamaica is spending time with friends and family. I spent the first 2 years of my life in Port Maria.

Photo Credits: Meram – Used With Permission

Even now that my grandparents are gone and my aunts and uncles have either passed away or migrated overseas, I get back as often as I can. After all, home is where the heart is and there’s no place like home.

So if you catch me daydreaming, don’t be too hard on me. At least now you’ll know where I’ve gone.

Now that you’ve had a taste of Jamaica, Executive Oasis International would be pleased to plan your team building or executive retreat the next time you take your team to Jamaica.

Visit Executive Oasis International Website

Request a Quote for Team Building in Jamaica Today

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Corporate Events: Ensuring Diversity at Christmas

During the Christmas season, many companies and associations grapple with ensuring diversity at corporate events. Some organizations have taken the route of banning Christmas trees and cancelling the annual Christmas party. Others have opted for the name “festive event” in order to project a politically correct image. Changing the label doesn’t make events diverse.

I have a different take on this issue. My perspective comes from growing up in downtown Montreal in a truly diverse environment before the word multi-cultural existed.

Diversity does not mean eliminating differences or being blind to them. Diversity is a celebration of differences,  the unique and special cultures and traditions that make every part of the world special.

My elementary and high schools were each a virtual United Nations drawing students from a large Jewish community and a neighborhood with immigrants from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and a handful from the Caribbean. There were synagogues in the area and teachers and classmates took Jewish holidays. The same diversity applied at churches.When our Brownie pack visited other churches we were exposed to a range of faith communities from Greek Orthodox to Chinese Presbyterian.

Diversity was a given and celebrations and events reflected that. Potluck luncheons were a potpourri servicing up a delightful mix of cabbage rolls, porgies, Polish sausages, and, of course, Jamaican banana fritters made by my mother. No legislation or policies were needed to ensure that talent shows included Greek, Ukrainian and Polish dancing. This happened naturally.

As my business and personal travel have taken me to many parts of the world, the places that have Christmas celebrations may surprise you. I shared a couple of examples last year.

Last year, I was far away from home at the start of the Christmas season and feeling somewhat homesick. In Malaysia and United Arab Emirates, 2 Muslim countries, it was comforting to discover colourful decorations and Christmas celebrations in unexpected places so I blogged about the experience. I was thrilled that a traditional Jamaican Christmas carol was included in the selections that were played at KL Pavilion Mall. Companies in North America should also make the effort to ensure inclusiveness.

  • Are there lessons that corporations can glean from these experiences?
  • How do we ensure diversity during the Christmas season and throughout the year?
  • Is it a matter of playing with dreidels, having a Menorah and singing Chanukah songs at holiday parties?
  • To make employees from the Caribbean feel more comfortable should we add poinsettias to holiday decor, play Parang music, or serve sorrel (a delightful red Christmas drink)?

I would suggest that merely adding games, decorations and multi-cultural holiday cuisine will not create a culture in which diversity is embraced. To create truly diverse organizations, policies, practices and  strategies to ensure that the brightest and the best are hired and promoted must be in place 365 days of the year. Companies and their clients deserve no less.

I have had employees from some companies in North America confide that they are afraid to take Jewish holidays as they fear disclosing their religion will hurt their chances of promotion. Is the executive team still predominantly male? Is almost everyone from manager to CEO from the same background? Are members of visible minority groups passed over for promotion even when they are over-qualified? Token diversity at holiday parties won’t change that.

Here is another example.

A few years ago, a Toronto based company contacted our sister training and development company about our Changing Face of Diversity workshop. They wanted to put their entire management team through training  to deal with a sensitive issue. Employees from some cultures didn’t know how to use western toilets and they had a significant number of shop floor employees from those cultures.

Sure, it’s great to be paid to deliver workshops but I thought the request was truly bizarre. I asked:

“Wouldn’t it be easier to install eastern toilets in a couple of stalls in each washroom? Companies, shopping centres and airports in Asia and the Middle East accommodate by providing western toilets”.

The idea hadn’t even occurred to them. 

Why focus just on Christmas? If a company has a diverse workforce and client base, how it conducts business and celebrates throughout the year should reflect this.

Two nights ago, there was a beautiful example of diversity in action on one of the Chopping in a Winter Wonderland TV specials for Chopped. Jewish, African American, and Mexican American chefs all drew on their roots and created a range of festive dishes from identical ingredient baskets. Che Rachel Willen of New York’s FoodFix Kitchen won with Chanukah inspired cuisine. Watching her work was truly inspiring.

In the same way, when a diverse event planning team or conference committee plans corporate events and holiday celebrations and decisions are approved by an executive team that is multi-cultural, diversity will emerge organically.  Anything short of that, is window dressing.

Photo Credits: Executive Oasis International, wayneandwax