The
bottom line, it never hurts to work on business
basics. That means either building or reinforcing a foundation
for the inevitable recovery that
will
be taking place.
Yes,
it is difficult to think about positive business results
when so many challenging events are occurring
around the world. But these problems will pass, and
the astute
business
person
that plans ahead will be ready to profit
from the
coming turn-around.
For
help with intercultural education, training and development
within your organization, please consider the worldwide
services of The
Sigma Two Group, international
business management consultants and trainers.
the
International Business Center Staff
Global
Resource Spotlight?
Each
month we Spotlight a free resource for readers that focuses
on Global business. This month's Spotlight is on Optimize
Magazine online. Specializing in strategy and execution
for business technology executives, they have a global
issues segment, as well as good information articles
on business like Outside-the-Box
Manufacturing.
International
Success Tips by Kimberley Roberts
 Doing
business around the world has been streamlined with telephone
calls, e-mails and video conferences. But the importance
of a personal meeting with associates and clients will
never be replaced by modern technology. At times the meeting
will be between, or among, trusted colleagues who have
done business together for years. At other times, a first
meeting will be taking place with the hope of establishing
a beneficial and rewarding relationship.
When
a meeting is scheduled with people from other cultures,
it’s wise to be cognizant of that culture’s
protocol. To establish a professional tone for the meeting
and make a good first impression, become familiar with
the standard greeting for the country, or the cultural
group within the country, you will be meeting.
The
handshake is used as a greeting throughout the world. In
western countries it’s the standard, and in other
countries it has replaced the more traditional greeting.
For countries that may use the handshake, in addition to
a traditional greeting, it is nice to know both. Then,
when greeting the other person, pause and wait for a clue
as to which greeting you should use.
Men
are safe in extending a hand to another man. However, the
rules may change when a man greets a woman; or a woman
greets a man, or even another woman. Following are several
tips that will simplify the greeting and give you some
helpful information.
-
Germany and the United States have firm handshakes, with
the German being very brief and the US being about three
to four seconds
- France, Guatemala, and Japan have more limp handshakes
- Singapore has a longer handshake (10+ seconds)
- Women should be the first to offer a hand for a handshake in New Zealand,
Singapore, South Korea, or Taiwan
-
In South Korea, more respect is shown by cupping your
left hand under your right forearm, as if supporting
your right forearm during the hand shake
- A traditional bow may be used in China,
Hong Kong, or Japan
- Traditional greeting in India is namaste
-place the hands in a praying position, palms
together with the fingers just beneath the
chin, bow and
say namaste
- Traditional greeting in Thailand places
the hands, palms together, in front of the
chin, bow the head to touch the top of the
fingers, and say Wai
- Women may greet other women by patting the right
forearm or shoulder in Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, or Panama
-
Countries with Hindu and Muslim religions forbid public contact between men
and women. When in these countries, follow your host’s cue to determine
if religious tradition will be followed.
- Women should wait for a man to offer his hand first in a Hindu or Muslim
country, if a western handshake is going to be used
As
you can see from this list, even people in countries that
have religious beliefs forbidding public contact between
men and women may use the handshake as a business greeting
when meeting a businessman or businesswoman.
To
be professional each time you meet with people from countries
or cultures that have these strong religious beliefs, don’t
assume the handshake will be the appropriate greeting.
Anticipate the situation and what greeting options may
be needed. Then in a relaxed and confident manner, follow
the clue from the meeting’s host.
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About
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The IBC Newsletter is sent monthly
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