2. Now compare your answers to the results of surveys of managers in several different countries. In your groups, discuss:
1. Do any of the results surprise you?
2. Can you see any general trends? What are they?
3. What does this tell you about doing business in different cultures?
Q.1 |
Percentage of people who do not show emotions at work: |
|
|
Italy 29% France 34% USA 40% |
UK 71% Japan 83% |
Q.2 |
Percentage of people who say that respect does not depend on family background: |
|
|
Russia 53% Italy 64% Germany 65% |
UK 76% USA 77% |
Q.3 |
Percentage of people who think that the individual should take responsibility: |
|
|
Austria 28% Japan 36% USA 40% |
Spain 47% Russia 68% |
Q.4 |
Percentage of people who think that a good manager allows people to work alone: |
|
|
China 57% Japan 71% Italy 78% |
USA 83% France 89% |
Q.5 |
Percentage of people who would not help the boss with his house-painting: |
|
|
China 28% Austria 65% Spain 71% |
UK 89% USA 92% |
From: Riding The Waves of Culture, Fons Trompenaars
3. What is your experience of meeting people from different countries? What differences in behaviour have you observed? What do you say and do when you meet someone visiting your organisation from another culture?
4. Read excerpts from a brochure by a global organisation on how to handle first meetings in four different countries. Which countries are being described?
|
|
|
|
Senegal |
Japan |
Germany |
Kazakhstan |
1 |
Greetings are rather formal due to the hierarchical nature of society. The common greeting is the handshake, often done with both hands and a smile. Some men will not shake hands with women, so be sensitive to these religious differences. Wait until invited before using someone’s first name, although the invitation generally comes early in the relationship.
|
3 |
Greetings are very formal and ritualised. It is important to show the correct amount of respect to someone based upon their status relative to your own. If at all possible, wait to be introduced. It can be seen as impolite to introduce yourself, even in a large gathering. A foreign visitor may bow the head slightly, since no one expects foreigners to generally understand the nuances of bowing. |
2 |
Greetings are formal. A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting. Titles are very important and show respect. Use a person’s title and their surname until invited to use their first name. In general, wait for your host or hostess to introduce you to a group. When entering a room, shake hands with everyone individually, including children. |
4 |
When people greet, they take time to ask about the health and welfare of family members. It is customary for these questions to be asked over a very long handshake. People should be addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title and their surname or first name. |