Reflection
Throughout the Cross Cultural Communications for International Business course was the first Global-Intercultural course that I too at Utah Valley University. I enrolled in this course in hopes that it would help me with my professional career. I was, and still am, pursuing a career with an international company. I felt that this course would give me the knowledge and provide me with the skills in which I might be able to apply to my career.
This particular course did not have just one signature assignment associated with it, but yet it had four papers in which we would write and use to analyze the top Global nations. The objective of the class was to gain listening and analytical skills in which we could use in business relations. We observed China, India, Japan and the United States, as they are the leaders in International Business.
During our studies of the Chinese culture, I was able to grasp a greater understanding of their culture and business relations. In discussing wage, I learned that in many of the businesses in China, there is a high turnover of employees. This is due to the aggressive wage inflation. As a consequence, employers are trying to identify other ways in which they can retain employees, as they are not willing to pay higher wages. Traditions are also very important to the Chinese people. Over the last 10-20 years, the Chinese have lost some of their values, however they are starting to rediscover these values and revert back to their traditions.
Relationships are also another important aspect of Chinese culture. The relationship with an employee and manager plays a critical role in business. This is something that outside cultures are starting to discover and adopt from the Chinese. Work is also very important and at times can be hard to distinguish between work and private life. Employees tend to become close with one another and develop a strong community within themselves. This can become a struggle when an employee decides to leave an organization, as they feel they are leaving their community as well. Due to this community feeling, one can conclude that China is a Collectivistic culture.
To be a successful business, it is believed that you must have a strong and solid relationship with your government. Another concept that the Chinese believe highly in is the concept of face. They believe that a person’s “face” is closely tied to a person’s reputation. Modesty is another aspect highly regarded in the culture. When doing business the Chinese do not believe they are just providing a product, they believe they are selling their people and their country. This is something that they pride themselves on. Lastly, the importance of color is something to be considered. As a culture rich in symbolism, colors have large representations in the culture. Being mindful to these symbols is important when doing business with the Chinese.
The culture in India is one that I have found to be very interesting, as I have not done business with many of this culture. When going to meeting where food is involved, it is important to know that it is customary in the Indian culture to eat with your hands. Also, you are to only eat with your right hand, as the left is considered dirty. You should also wait to be served, as it is considered rude to serve yourself. Sharing food is also considered good manners. If you order a dish, be aware that it is expected to share it with everyone at the table.
When meeting with an Indian business group for the first time, a third party should do the introduction, preferably one that is a mutual party. If a third party is not available, introductions should be made starting with the most senior person in age and descend from there. When speaking with an Indian, non-verbal language is very important. Folding or crossing of arms is seen as aggressive. Also avoid putting feet up on furniture or pointing the soles of your feet towards the person, as feet are also seen as unclean.
The work day tends to start in the latter morning, 10am. Unlike the Chinese and Japanese cultures, it is acceptable and expected for Indian people to be late to work. When negotiating business arrangements, be prepared to go back and forth considerably as this is common. Using titles to address someone is appropriate until given permission to use given name. Business relationships are of the utmost importance in the Indian culture. Business transactions are based upon trust and intuition as much as data. Take time to engage in conversation and build a relationship with your Indian colleague.
After studying Japanese culture, I learned that harmony is a very important aspect of the Japanese culture. As they are a collectivistic culture, maintaining harmony among all things including relationships is important. Learning to maintain harmony is first addressed in school. Students are expected to be ready to absorb knowledge, but be reluctant to express their own ideas.
When it comes to the work place, Japanese are typically early to the work place or meetings, as a sign of respect. Salaries and promotions are typically spread equally in order to reduce conflict and jealousy and maintain the harmony within the organization. Working as part of a group and belonging to the group is important to the Japanese business person. Japanese people also will express a large sense of gratitude towards those they are working with. With business interactions, should you go out for a meal, it is culturally expected that the Japanese will pay for the meal. When handed a business card, it is considered rude to put it in your wallet or pocket, as it is seen as if you are sitting on the person’s face. A better practice is to put it in your chest shirt pocket, as it shows that you are keeping the person close to your heart. The Japanese are also seen as hard workers and this applies to any task. This is a highly valued characteristic in Japanese culture. In addition to this, having patience and endurance are other qualities that are valued.
Through comparing these three cultures, I have learned that the United States business culture is very different from these three. The US is an individualistic culture, therefore in business people usually think of only themselves and not the organization. We are a very competitive culture by nature as well. Wages, promotions and management positions are not equal across the board either. When meeting for a business meeting, personal space is anticipated, keeping a distance of approximately two feet between associates.
When talking business, we tend to use sport terms to describe things, such as “Ball park figures”. Golf is also a very popular sport to be played among business colleagues and is used to discuss business ventures. Business meetings are not typically held on Sunday’s either. If invited to a business meal, the host is expected to pay. Punctuality is also expected in business relations. Business cards are not commonly exchanged, unless contact is expected at a later date. Employees are allowed to have opinions and ideas, with expectations to express them. We also tend to be very vocal and direct. We view time as money, therefore business dealings will proceed quickly.
As I have learned all of these various aspects of business culture, I have grown a greater understanding to not only my own culture, but also how I can interact with those that I work with better. Where I work for an international company, my interactions with others from varying cultures. By studying the top business cultures, I have learned how I can adopt the positive aspects of these cultures and be more successful.
This particular course did not have just one signature assignment associated with it, but yet it had four papers in which we would write and use to analyze the top Global nations. The objective of the class was to gain listening and analytical skills in which we could use in business relations. We observed China, India, Japan and the United States, as they are the leaders in International Business.
During our studies of the Chinese culture, I was able to grasp a greater understanding of their culture and business relations. In discussing wage, I learned that in many of the businesses in China, there is a high turnover of employees. This is due to the aggressive wage inflation. As a consequence, employers are trying to identify other ways in which they can retain employees, as they are not willing to pay higher wages. Traditions are also very important to the Chinese people. Over the last 10-20 years, the Chinese have lost some of their values, however they are starting to rediscover these values and revert back to their traditions.
Relationships are also another important aspect of Chinese culture. The relationship with an employee and manager plays a critical role in business. This is something that outside cultures are starting to discover and adopt from the Chinese. Work is also very important and at times can be hard to distinguish between work and private life. Employees tend to become close with one another and develop a strong community within themselves. This can become a struggle when an employee decides to leave an organization, as they feel they are leaving their community as well. Due to this community feeling, one can conclude that China is a Collectivistic culture.
To be a successful business, it is believed that you must have a strong and solid relationship with your government. Another concept that the Chinese believe highly in is the concept of face. They believe that a person’s “face” is closely tied to a person’s reputation. Modesty is another aspect highly regarded in the culture. When doing business the Chinese do not believe they are just providing a product, they believe they are selling their people and their country. This is something that they pride themselves on. Lastly, the importance of color is something to be considered. As a culture rich in symbolism, colors have large representations in the culture. Being mindful to these symbols is important when doing business with the Chinese.
The culture in India is one that I have found to be very interesting, as I have not done business with many of this culture. When going to meeting where food is involved, it is important to know that it is customary in the Indian culture to eat with your hands. Also, you are to only eat with your right hand, as the left is considered dirty. You should also wait to be served, as it is considered rude to serve yourself. Sharing food is also considered good manners. If you order a dish, be aware that it is expected to share it with everyone at the table.
When meeting with an Indian business group for the first time, a third party should do the introduction, preferably one that is a mutual party. If a third party is not available, introductions should be made starting with the most senior person in age and descend from there. When speaking with an Indian, non-verbal language is very important. Folding or crossing of arms is seen as aggressive. Also avoid putting feet up on furniture or pointing the soles of your feet towards the person, as feet are also seen as unclean.
The work day tends to start in the latter morning, 10am. Unlike the Chinese and Japanese cultures, it is acceptable and expected for Indian people to be late to work. When negotiating business arrangements, be prepared to go back and forth considerably as this is common. Using titles to address someone is appropriate until given permission to use given name. Business relationships are of the utmost importance in the Indian culture. Business transactions are based upon trust and intuition as much as data. Take time to engage in conversation and build a relationship with your Indian colleague.
After studying Japanese culture, I learned that harmony is a very important aspect of the Japanese culture. As they are a collectivistic culture, maintaining harmony among all things including relationships is important. Learning to maintain harmony is first addressed in school. Students are expected to be ready to absorb knowledge, but be reluctant to express their own ideas.
When it comes to the work place, Japanese are typically early to the work place or meetings, as a sign of respect. Salaries and promotions are typically spread equally in order to reduce conflict and jealousy and maintain the harmony within the organization. Working as part of a group and belonging to the group is important to the Japanese business person. Japanese people also will express a large sense of gratitude towards those they are working with. With business interactions, should you go out for a meal, it is culturally expected that the Japanese will pay for the meal. When handed a business card, it is considered rude to put it in your wallet or pocket, as it is seen as if you are sitting on the person’s face. A better practice is to put it in your chest shirt pocket, as it shows that you are keeping the person close to your heart. The Japanese are also seen as hard workers and this applies to any task. This is a highly valued characteristic in Japanese culture. In addition to this, having patience and endurance are other qualities that are valued.
Through comparing these three cultures, I have learned that the United States business culture is very different from these three. The US is an individualistic culture, therefore in business people usually think of only themselves and not the organization. We are a very competitive culture by nature as well. Wages, promotions and management positions are not equal across the board either. When meeting for a business meeting, personal space is anticipated, keeping a distance of approximately two feet between associates.
When talking business, we tend to use sport terms to describe things, such as “Ball park figures”. Golf is also a very popular sport to be played among business colleagues and is used to discuss business ventures. Business meetings are not typically held on Sunday’s either. If invited to a business meal, the host is expected to pay. Punctuality is also expected in business relations. Business cards are not commonly exchanged, unless contact is expected at a later date. Employees are allowed to have opinions and ideas, with expectations to express them. We also tend to be very vocal and direct. We view time as money, therefore business dealings will proceed quickly.
As I have learned all of these various aspects of business culture, I have grown a greater understanding to not only my own culture, but also how I can interact with those that I work with better. Where I work for an international company, my interactions with others from varying cultures. By studying the top business cultures, I have learned how I can adopt the positive aspects of these cultures and be more successful.
