General Culture And Business Etiquette. The Culture In

As you plan your itinerary, it’s important to note that you can only serve yourself and your clients better by researching the local business customs. Even different cities in the same country can prove to have a unique work cultures. A quick Internet search will produce numerous articles on the culture of your host country or city. If you are embarking on an international business trip, it’s important to remember these tips to assist in the success of your endeavors:

The first important custom to understand when conducting business with Japan is bowing. In Japan bowing represents respect and can be very instrumental in making a positive initial impression (Nevison, 2009). There are many incidents when bowing should be conducted and they are, introducing oneself, as a welcome, as a form of gratitude, and to express remorse (Custom of Bowing, n.d.). Japan’s business culture is very inclusive. According to Japanese Business Customs (2011, para.3) “group decision-making is important in Japan and has been generally described as a “bottom up” exercise rather than “top down.” The fact that Japan conducts business with this approach can make the process time consuming. It is important to be aware that developing connections with Japan will/do not happen overnight. Another custom of Japan is gift giving. According to Japanese Business Customs (2011, para.4) “gift giving is expected on many business occasions in Japan.” It is imperative to note that the value of the gift is not as important as the essence of the gift. Exchanging business cards are another very important aspect of conducting business with Japan. According to Nevison (2009, para.5), “business cards should be printed on both sides, with your first language on one side and the other party’s language on the other." Physical contact like hand shaking, hugging and even

The United States, a nation founded on a fundamental belief in equality, is today a multicultural mosaic of over 315 million people of varying race and cultural heritage.

Making business abroad can be risky, but it can also be profitable for a company as well; thus the necessity to study in deep the country where the company will bring the business to. International companies are faced with many cultural challenges, when doing business across and inside of different borders. Identifying the significant cultural issues involved when evaluating the attractiveness of a particular location as a place for doing business can be crucial for a business. Aspects to consider when studying culture in a new place

When people think of business, rarely do we associate culture with the concept. This leads to an issue in cross-cultural communication. By analyzing cross-cultural communication, and its miscommunication in cultural differences, it is clear that employees should know more of a country’s defining culture. Only recently have we seen an emphasis in understanding other country’s cultures. In doing so, some businesses have prospered, while others have suffered after a terrible miscommunication. When dealing with culture, there are three segments that an employee should consider. What can be done before, during and after contact is made with the culture. In effectively preparing for one, a business may successfully send the message they wish to their client.

For the successful business, it is must to be aware of the culture of international country with we are doing business or trading. Cultural difference in business can aid in building international competencies as well as enabling to get a competitive benefit. It is difficult to be aware of every aspect of the other country’s organisational culture.

In conclusion, the three most important players of Singapore in the tripartism are Government, employers and unions. Employers can stay gainful just in the event that they take great consideration of their workers as long as they give their best.

Chapter I and II from Chinese Business Etiquette: A guide to protocol, manners, and culture in the people republic of China by Scott D. Seligman is a book explaining different situations that gives an insight about that complexities faced by the Westerners doing business and travelling to China. “Good manners is generally just good common sense anyways.” (Seligman 1998) This was written in his introduction where in he stated that situations, attitudes and practices are timeless. This being said, this book was written almost 17 years ago in which an issue of “advancement” and “adaptation” can be raised since it evolves and develops rapidly. In addition, the question raised about this book being the most suitable for Canadians to learn about Chinese etiquette is simply answered 17 years ago as well. Regardless of the time when it was written and published the book conveys what a westerner or any other culture can experience in China. Furthermore, Seligman started by telling the audience of the book of what to expect and continued with personal experience and situations that an individual in different situations can possibly encounter. He also included tips and recap from what the chapter is about. In addition, having a good insight it is very evident that the author integrated himself into the book. These two chapters evolved around business situations from Chinese learning Western technological advancement to having business relationships and their specification.

When developing relationships with coworkers from other countries than the United States of America, one strategy that can make developing those relations more comfortable for a foreign partner is to research and understand the business culture of his/her home nation.

Corporate culture is the collective behaviour of people using common corporate vision, goals, shared values, beliefs, habits, working language, systems, and symbols. It is interwoven with processes, technologies, learning and significant events. In addition, different individuals bring to the workplace their own uniqueness, knowledge, and ethnic culture. So corporate culture encompasses moral, social, and behavioral norms of your organization based on the values, beliefs, attitudes, and priorities of its members.

Multiculturalism and multiracialism has become the proud hallmark of Singapore society today. However, the issues that come together with them still seem to plaque the community even after more than five decades. In retrospect, these issues are more protuberant in the implementation level than at the policy-making stage. The way Chua Beng Huat asserted in his paper titled Multiculturalism in Singapore: an instrument of social control, it seems as though multiculturalism and multiracialism are double-edged swords which can cut both ways.

Then, in 1987, to foster unity across Singapore’s three major ethnic groups, Chinese, Indian and Malay, English became the main method of instruction in all schools. Today, almost all instruction is in English except for a class in the student’s native tongue: Tamil and Malay for ethnic Indians and Malays, and Mandarin for ethnic Chinese.

South Korea’s interesting cultural background directly impacts their language and religion, and even their business etiquette. The various aspects in the Korean culture directly relate to doing business and give a better understanding as to how Koreans behave in a professional environment.

Singapore has a capitalised mixed economy. Having strong international trade links, Singapore possesses one of the most open economies for international trade and investment. Singapore offers foreign investors a pro-business environment, excellent infrastructure, highly-skilled and cosmopolitan labour force, and a robust legal/judicial system. These competitive factors have set Singapore apart from other locations, winning several accolades including: §

When dealing with intercultural business a person should be well aware of the characteristics of the culture he is to be in contact with. He should be well prepared to face attitudes not common in his home country.