...positive as well. No matter which country our culture it may be it is important to understand several different areas and make sure to ask yourself the correct questions. Those areas are to understand universal systems, cultural values, language and thought, social etiquette, business customs, negotiation strategies, and culture shock. Please feel free to use this as a guideline when beginning your research to help get a quick and easy start, ensuring that the business outcome will be successful. Universal Systems: It is important to understand how each culture works when it comes to economic, political, and educational, marriage and family, and social hierarchies and interaction systems. Each country will differ from the other so it is very important to make sure you have a full understanding of the importance and the way these things are seen in the country you will be conducting business in. Here are a few questions you think about while doing your research. What type of economic system do they fall under? What is the determining factor for distributing goods? What goods are imported and exported? What is the system in which the country is ran? Does age, gender, status have any importance on if one is elected or appointed to public office? How is education seen and which system is it based upon; formal, informal, or both? What is considered a family unit? Who is considered the head of the family and...
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...Main Page From ExecutivePlanet.com Contents 1 Discussion Forums 2 Related Links 3 Guidelines for business etiquette 4 Essential business culture guides for the international traveller Discussion Forums Related Links [1] Contact Executive Planet Guidelines for business etiquette Executive Planet™ provides valuable tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business worldwide. Our guides are co-authored by experts in international business etiquette, who are available to answer your questions on the discussion board. Essential business culture guides for the international traveler Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Chile China Colombia Denmark Egypt France Germany Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Malaysia Mexico Netherlands Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Venezuela Yemen The Executive Planet™ guides to doing business worldwide each contain the following articles: Let's Make a Deal - negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of...
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...and Education Cross-Cultural Etiquette and Communication in Global Business: Toward a Strategic Framework for Managing Corporate Expansion Ephraim Okoro1 1 School of Business, Howard University, Washington, USA Correspondence: Ephraim A. Okoro, Department of Marketing, School of Business, Howard University, 2600–Sixth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20059, USA. Tel: 1-202-806-1545. E-mail: eaokoro@howard.edu Received: March 22, 2012 doi:10.5539/ijbm.v7n16p130 Abstract The expanding scope of business corporations in the first decade of the twenty-first century is drawing much scholarly attention, and the trend has been described as a fact of life that defies the stretch of human imagination. The concept of global economy has expanded consumer awareness, defined new standards and rules of operations, and increased the need for national and corporate interdependence. Multinational organizations are exploring opportunities around the world, demonstrating sensitivity towards cultural differences in order to gain from the proliferation and growth of international enterprise. Recent studies indicate that while some corporations compete successfully in the global marketplace, others have failed to sustain their competitive advantage because of cultural imperialism or inadequate acculturation of their managers on international assignment. Corporate analysts argued that the key to global business success depends on effective cross-cultural etiquette and global workforce diversity...
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...Saudi Arabian Business Culture Abstract People have different cultural characteristics that affect the way they conduct business. This paper will educate the reader on how religion, relationships, communication, different concepts of time, culture and family values, building respectful and trusting relationships, business meeting etiquette, dress and appearance, and gender considerations all influence the way the Saudi Arabians negotiate business. I chose to write about this topic based on a personal experience I had with a male Saudi Arabian Officer that was my classmate during BOLC (Basic Officer Leadership Course). Due to my lack of cultural knowledge, I found myself struggling to communicate with him until I took the time out to learn about their cultural differences. Country Information Saudi Arabia, formally known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a desert country, encompassing most of the Arabian Peninsula. The country is positioned between the Red Sea in the west and the Arabian Gulf in the east. It is bounded on the north by Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait, and on the south by the Yemeni Republics (north and south), and on the east by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman (“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Brief,” n.d., para 1). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is approximately 1,960,582 sq. km and occupies an area about the size of the United States east of the Mississippi River. Riyadh is the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The name originated from the Arabic...
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...family is the basis of the social structure and includes both the nuclear and the extended family, which sometimes provides both a social and a financial support network. Today, it is less common than previously for family members to work in a family business, as personal preferences are important and university education is general. The structure and the size of the family vary, but generally, people live until longer lives, have fewer children than before, and fewer people live in their homes with extended family. Familial networks have become less tight. The greatest changes have occurred inside families, between men and woman, and the parents and children because the values that inspire these relations have changed. Religion in Spain The majority of Spaniards are formally Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted. During the history of Spain, there have been long periods of where different religious groups have coexisted, including Muslims, Jews and Christians. Still some traditions manifest more like a cultural event than a religious one. During Holy Week, many participants of the processions wear peaked, black hats as the sign of a penitent and walk barefoot, carrying a burden of some kind. Religious history is apparent in every small town, where the most grandiose building is typically the church. In the large cities the Cathedrals are almost museums. Etiquette & Customs in Spain Meeting Etiquette When introduced expect to shake...
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...Local Customs for Business Etiquette in China and Brazil Submitted to DR. …. By Muhanned Al-Sharif Student at Prince Sultan College of Tourism Student #: 12-187 April 27th, 2012 Table of Contents I. Overview…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 II. Important Elements to know about when visiting any country to do business……………………………1 China III. Quick Background on China………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1 IV. Society and culture……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2 V. Business Etiquette. Do’s and Don’ts in meetings………………………………………………………………………...2 Brazil VI. Quick Background on Brazil…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 VII. Society and culture……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 VIII. Business Etiquette. Do’s and Don’ts in meetings………………………………………………………………………...5 IX. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6 I. Overview: This report will give you a concise description of local customs when traveling for business purposes in China & Brazil. It discusses the aspects that are required in order to succeed in your business transactions and informs you of the negative actions that could affect your business and the future of the company. It is imperative for you to know the importance of knowing the countries local customs so that you don’t disrespect & insult your hosts and at the same time leaving with a good impression for yourself...
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...an approach to business negotiations that provides a win-win for both parties. Management was also told they needed to know the background of the Asian negotiator and that they should use a “middleman” to help them with the negotiation. Because of your work in China, the vendor would like your advice in this business dealing. The intermediary stressed the importance of etiquette and social customs in addition to the win-win model. The first thing we need to to do is research the company and their culture etiquettes. Then I will need to find the right person to conduct the negotiation and train others members involve information that they will need to know when doing business with this company as to the do’s and don’ts and how to have a win-win business negotiation. Then we should send the company our business information with the person that will be conducting the negotiation rank within our company. This will establish a first step business approach before doing business with one another. When doing business with China, Japan and South Korea the U.S. vendor must know the social customs as well as each country etiquette for this will play an important role on business negotiation. One should present there company information to each individual that it is seeking business before scheduling a meeting. When looking to do business with one of these countries it is best to know how each conduct negotiation and the right way to introduce oneself. Another key factor is the period...
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...------------------------------------------------- www.rtm.com ------------------------------------------------- Phone (336) 780-0897 ------------------------------------------------- Fax (336) 780-9701 ------------------------------------------------- Address: 6800 Star Mount Drive ------------------------------------------------- Greensboro, NC, 27403 ------------------------------------------------- Roundtable Management MEMORANDUM To: Jerry McGuire, CEO From: Jason Stevens, Director of Marketing Date: 4/23/15 Subject: Expanding Roundtable Management Round Table management has successfully competed in the United States sports industry, representing 40% of the NBA players in America. We have transformed from an unknown commodity, to a household name in the sports industry, and in the lives of our athletes families. Although we are very successful at our craft, why stop here? The world is bigger than the United States, and we believe Roundtable has the proper personnel, outside resources, and overall promising potential to begin representing international athletes in other basketball leagues outside of the NBA. As it stands now, Roundtable management does not represent any foreign players. If we want to be known as the greatest management firm in the industry, it is ideal that we begin the necessary steps to broadening our brand. NBA.com reports our league has the highest number of foreign players in the league, at 101 players1. The top countries with the most international...
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...Cross-cultural Communications Dear Kelly Sinclair, In response to your request for specific information on diverse cultural communication in the countries in which we have continued relationships with I have selected Italy to be my national culture of focus. Thank you for the opportunity to broaden my understanding of this sensitive area in my upcoming career. When travelling to Italy for business matters, there is one aspect that is regularly overlooked and considered to be of the utmost importance in Italian culture. This issue has become of very little importance in the United States as it is considered politically incorrect. The topic in mind is personal appearance and is idealized in the Italian phrase 'bella figura' or good image which is more than just dressing well but encompasses the overall way you project your persona.(Kwintessential) Italians tend to place a significant amount of importance on first impressions and will stand by those impressions. Manner of dress indicates social standing, level of education and professionalism. Italians dress very formally and conservatively in a high fashion and accessorized manner. Failure to do so yourself will immediately signify to an Italian that you are not a serious contender in their business realm. The personal appearance aspect of Italian business culture is based in large part on the significance of personal relationships in the Italian business world.(Living in Italy) Business people are in Italy are very sensitive ...
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...China: Business Do’s and Don’ts Introduction In business, knowing traditions and customs of host countries is paramount when beginning or carrying out negotiations. I find one of our most consistent and influential competitors and business allies to be China. China has for many years been a major contributor in the role of technology. Chinese technology and manufacturers are a huge part of the international trading system in America. In this paper I will discuss cultural differences, negotiation tactics, traditional and non-traditional customs, and attempt to explain effective methods of communication in the business sector of Chinese culture. I will begin by comparing and contrasting the cultures of China and America, and continue, by implementing ideas for effective communication and ways of successfully conducting business with China. China has recently had an economic spike, and was reported in an article in the Huffington Post as doing better now than ever before: “China is still faced with many daunting challenges ranging from corruption to regional income gaps and environmental degradation. But China is indeed better than at any time in its modern history. The country is now the world's largest laboratory for economic, social and political experimentation. There is every reason to believe that China, which has a continuously adaptive political system, will reach its objective of becoming the world's largest economy in a decade's time -- with all the implications...
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...United States until we have reached an agreement. We have limited information regarding our visitors; age, education, prior work experience, and job titles is all we know. We do not know how long the transition team will be in the United States, because we do not know how long it will take to reach an agreement. We do not know how much English, if any, they know, or if they will have a translator. Since we don't have access to this information our ability to maintain cultural sensitivity (O'Rourke, 2010) will be imperative to our success. There are two key issues in this case study I feel are important for La Jolla software to consider in order to achieve their objective. First, we must be conscientious of Japanese culture and customs. "Research has shown that failures in an overseas business setting most frequently result from an inability to understand and adapt...
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...Business Communication Customs in Canada Presented to Professor D. A. Beaudoin, MBA Prepared by Claude D. Brooks February 14, 2007 Businesses, today, have gone global and many have formed multinational alliances. This globalization, along with technological advances, and the sheer number of companies dealing internationally has brought about a dramatic change in the way people from different cultural backgrounds interact. These cross cultural differences are most noticeable in areas such as in behavior, etiquette, norms, values, written expressions, oral communication, and non-verbal communication. If workers can understand their own culture, they are then better able to adapt to other cultures when communicating within them. Guffey states that another way to achieve intercultural proficiency is to recognize barriers and ways to overcome them (110). To effectively communicate across international borders, we must be sensitive to other cultures and avoid misunderstandings and contrary views resulting from the various intercultural differences (Guffey101). When communicating to international audiences, workers must also pay special attention to not only oral and written messages, but also nonverbal communication. Nonverbal behavior includes actions and behavior such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, gestures, and the use of time, space, and territory (113). As business communicators, it is...
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...What makes a professional stand apart from others in his or her field? There are the usual qualifications of education and experience; however, true professionals don’t stop there especially when it comes to learning. The one thing we can be certain of is change and any informed professional will always be aware of what is trending and what changes are coming not only in the field of law but also with clients, technology, and events that could impact their practice. I was struck by the importance of soft skills development for legal professionals when reading a recent blog post which begins, “I had lunch with a lawyer recently and left wondering if the guy had been raised by wolves. His table manners were abysmal.”[1] The writer, also a lawyer,...
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...Making Friends in China SGT Robert, Wade H. SFC Franklin, Jeremy ALC 728-12 15 September 2012 Making Friends in China I. Public Life Displays of affection Greetings Dining In a person’s home In a restaurant Business Bargaining Saving Face Gifting Meanings Taboos SGT Robert, Wade H. SFC Franklin, Jeremy ALC 728-12 15 September 2012 Making Friends in China As with any culture to be successful in China socially, one needs to understand the manners and etiquettes that the culture follows. Many cultures have changed greatly over the centuries, but China’s remains very similar to its roots around the family and authoritarian. Unlike western cultures, much of the Chinese etiquette continues to be very rigid. Understanding and putting into practice the manners and etiquettes of Chinese culture will help a person to create new friendships, rather than enemies, and be accepted by more people within the country. These manners and etiquettes cover behavior in public, dining, conducting business, and even gift giving. In public Chinese people are very formal in their behaviors. Public displays of affection such as kissing, hugging, making eye contact, or hand holding are strongly discouraged; however, hand holding amongst friends of the same sex commonly occurs. Personal space is given very little concern within China, especially during national celebrations when most people go out, and the streets become very crowded from the largest cities to...
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...International Business Business Customs Paper County: Brazil When conducting business in Brazil, there is a lot to know about how this country interprets gestures, how they perceive Americans and the best ways to conduct business that will impress them. There are some formalities and policies we may not be aware of in the US. They are important to know in order to conduct successful business in Brazil. Relationship building is key, along with formal attitude and attire and always showing professionalism. Brazil is quite different from the US, so remembering and practicing all of the following will help to insure your business will be successful in Brazil. One important aspect to understand when conducting business with Brazil is their negotiations. In Brazil, business is negotiated in a way that shows Brazilians expect things to go “their way.” This is because they do not have a lot of experience negotiating with other countries. However, younger generations may be more flexible in this aspect. (Global Negotiation Resources) Brazilians also do not like loud and boisterous behavior or anyone who acts rude or impatient towards them. No matter how enthusiastic or heated a discussion may get, theses emotions should never be shown. When initiating contact with a Brazilian, choosing to use a local intermediary, or despachante, is highly recommeneded. This will help create a connection between US and Brazilian culture and business will be more effective. (Global...
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