A complete understanding of mental models is essential in comprehending the concepts and ideas discussed in Krietner chapters 3 and 4. Mental models help individuals have a specific understanding of reality in relation to specific situations. With the different social, political and economic situations that dominate the world of management it is easy for individuals to develop their own mental models to help them cope with different situations. For example, when discussing political situations one individual may think of the election as a race between a tortoise and a hare or a clash of titans. Whatever the perception is the individual has made his or her own interpretation of the situation as to come to a complete understanding of the course of events that our taking place. As the world continues to advance in different areas individuals will continue to develop specific mental models to help them deal with different subjects. For example, as the world moves toward more globalization individuals will have to put aside most of their mental models in an attempt to move rapidly forward. Mental Models are of inherent value in understanding the way some individuals may think about developing third world cultures. Mental models may also be of significant value when major corporations send executives to foreign countries to set up new businesses. These executives must adapt to the culture and the language in order to promote their products and services. At times this may seem like a daunting task. But, corporations like MTV have learned the key to success. MTV recently took their operations to India in effort to expose western culture to India. MTV did not try to fit its culture into India; however they chose to put their mental models aside and adapt to India culture by adopting most of their customs in an effort to become more of a global brand. Companies who understand that the world is made up of different individual with different ideas and mindsets will be successful in the future and will be ready to compete on the world stage. Therefore, mental models will continue to play a pivotal role in the field of management. It is extremely important that future management students and executives alike are trained in this aspect of management. It is important that they are able to recognize their own mental models as well as others and learn effective and efficient ways of dealing with them for the success and growth of their organizations.

1b. The country that I would like to visit or live in for awhile would be Lagos, Nigeria. I chose this country because I feel it is both high and low in context. Nigeria is a very culturally diverse country. Nigeria has over two hundred and fifty different people, languages, histories and religions which makes it very high context. The primary language spoken in Nigeria is English. Therefore, visitors there do not have a problem communicating. However, the different tribes have adopted their own dialects which make it hard for visitors to do business with them. Often visitors have a hard time getting their messages across. These high context situations make it hard for many business transactions to take place successfully. Many business transactions take place by word of mouth because of the increasing popularity of the black market. Nigeria is also low context because many other business transactions and communications take place in the outside market places. These market places are large and offer many goods and service to visitors. Like a close knit family the market place provides visitors the opportunity to learn the most about Nigerian culture if they are able to follow the rules and adapt to the culture so vividly displayed here.
2. Nigeria is a collectivist culture. The individual is considered part of the country but, their loyalty is to both country and family. This loyalty to both family and country is what is considered an achievement above all else. Family loyalty however, plays an inherent role in the culture of Nigeria. Money, social status and culture all take second place to the family. Nigeria is also a polychromic culture because of its extreme flexibility with travel in and out of the country. Nigerians seem to be very relaxed when it comes to travel. There seems to be no real commitment to time travel. At times it is very hard to get around the country because of lack of travel or flights have been cancelled. Although there are easier forms of travel the more popular ones are overcrowded and run slow. While Nigeria seems to have a rich culture and diverse atmosphere for visitors to learn and grow it would be a great culture shock for any American to experience. I would specifically be surprise by the exchange of American currency and the relatively inexpensive living arrangements. I also would be amazed by the more than two hundred and fifty different people and histories that make this country so unique. By having a personal family connection to this country it still would take me some time to get use to the climate and the cuisine as well. But, I am sure with time I would become accustom to the benefits this country would have to offer me and my business.
3. In learning about and working with mental models, my favorite mental model would have to be the learning tree. The powerful image of a solid tree truck which represents the foundation of learning and the branches that represent the links to the vast amounts of knowledge that individual can learn throughout their lives. The leaves of the tree also provide a powerful mental model for me as well. The leaves grow and flourish in the spring bursting with the incredible amounts of knowledge obtained in the fall and winter months. This image motivates and strengthens my desire for continued learning and growth.