Business Across Cultures

1. Culture

1.1. The ways we do things in different places

1.2. Our values ( what we think is important)

1.3. Our beliefs (our believes)

2. Power and Distance

2.1. Culture depends on the country it's in

2.2. Important cultural dimensions identified

2.3. Low power- distance culture ( people are approachable) and everyone is involved in decision making (opinions are treated equally)

2.4. High power-distance culture- (people are distant and remote) not everyone is involved in decision making, but opinions are allowed ( deference-respect)

3. Individualism

3.1. Connections between individuals are loose

3.2. People are expected to look after themselves and immediate family

4. Collectivists

4.1. Strong groups which include extended family

4.2. Loyal people who wouldn't harm the group

5. Time

5.1. Working hours- are different - presentees (being at work when you don't need to)

5.2. Holidays- many companies have different times off depending on which country they live in

5.3. Meals and Entertaining- lunch breaks are different all over the world and some are during a meeting

5.4. Punctuality- arriving early or late can or cannot be disrespectful depending on where you live

5.5. Boundaries- set boundaries between work and home ( work is for work and home is for family)

6. Cross- Cultural Communication

6.1. Distance- uncomfortable or comftable

6.2. Eye contact- Disrespectful or Okay

6.3. Gesture- movement of the body

6.4. Freetings/ goodbye- what kind of sayings or body contact is made

6.5. Physical contact- touching or not touching

6.6. Presents- how to react when you give or receive a gift

6.7. Rules of conversation/ role of silence- how long you are silent or how long you talk (can you interrupt)