Judit :)

Hi guys!!

I think all videos and comments are really interesting, but I will like to know what do you expect from other people, I mean we have talked about what we have to do if we negotiate with people from another culture, but if we are the managers and for example a supplier try to convince us, what do you expect of this supplier?

video

It's well known that China is becoming in a really powerful economy, part of this success it's because they're really cautious and take really serious they're actions.. Here's a video where you can check some tips for doing business with them! Enjoy it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3743zVOjkME

By the way, I'm manfred! 

Viviana

I found this article, I think it's interesting and it's relationated with the toppics that we are been studying, specially because we have to understand them and their culture if we want to have success in business.

Tips and Secrets for International Business Success

Success in one’s business demands that you have an understanding of finance, business management, marketing, people management and a vision to take the company forward. To achieve success in international business would more or less require the same skills but there are certain other factors which may play an equally if not more, important role. If yourbusiness would like to have a business presence in a foreign country or business dealings with a foreign company, it becomes vital for you to understand more about the culture and customs of that country so that you can establish a better working relationship. Here are some tips and secrets that will help you on your way to success.

• Understanding the local customs does not just mean learning the local language. It means to have the ability to accept and appreciate other cultures so that you can provide and seek cooperation in achieving mutual success. Many a times, companies believe that this attitude is similar to weakening or compromising; on the contrary, you will show the amount of confidence you have in your business through an accepting attitude and this can only lead to a strengthening of your relationship, paving the way for future success.
• Whether your company is trying to sell shoes in Mexico or hosting African art designers in New York, you will find that in the current business environment of globalization, you keep coming across many different cultures, each with its own rules and protocols. There are nuances to each rule and of course, each rule may also have plenty of exceptions. However, if you hope to be able to appreciate these rules and lead your business forward you will need to stay current. The best way of doing so is to hire professionals who either are actually natives of the country you wish to business with or have sufficient expertise with doing business there. They provide valuable information on local rules of business etiquette, such as when to shake hands, with whom and for how long; what gifts can or cannot be given; table manners and methods of communication. In fact, at times, business employees may even be given cross-cultural training so that they develop the required sensitivity and understanding of the cultures that are so important for the success of theirbusiness.
• Imagine a childhood friend of yours comes to visit you after many years. You will take special care to know what he likes or dislikes, be sensitive to what conversational topics he may be touchy about, try to understand if there are any food likes or dislikes and so on. Similarly when you are hosting a foreign visitor who is here onbusiness, you should accord him the same respect and make similar efforts in understanding what may make him more comfortable and avoid that which will make him uncomfortable.

Not taking the effort to be sensitive about the local customs will only make your business look insincere and condescending. If a business is to be successful in the global marketplace it is absolutely essential to have respect for other people and their cultures.

http://edu.udym.com/tips-and-secrets-for-international-business-success/

Vocabulary list Chapter 1/ Enrique

I will make a vocabulary list about culture and business connections (1). In this order:

1- Word

2- Meaning

3- Example

- Build relationships: To develop friendly and successful ways of dealing with other people or companies. Ex: Maria have built good relationships with her clients over time.

-Build your skills: To develop or improve your abilities at work. Ex: If you got the scholarship, you would build your intercultural skills.

- Bustling: Full of people moving around in a busy way, Ex: Her music stores are on bustling shopping streets.

-Buzzing: Full of excitement and activity. Ex: Jaco is buzzing almost everyday.

- Down-to-earth: Sensible and practical in a way that is helpful and friendly. Ex: My boss is very intelligent, he has studied economic sciences over many years, but he is also down-to-earth.

-Easy-going: Relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting angry. Ex: My teacher is easy-going about homeworks.

- Form an opinion: To decide what you think of something or somebody. Ex: I did not really know Katherine to form an opinion about her.

- Gather that: To understand from what you hear that something is the case. Ex: He gathered that she was pretty old than him.

-Give an insight: To help you understand what something is like. Ex: The conference gave me a great insight about intercultural skills.

-Infrastructure: The basic systems and services that are necessary for a country or an organization to run smoothly, for example: buildings, transport, water and power supplies. Ex: Costa Rica needs to improve educational infrastructure to reach its goals as a country.

- Keep an open mind: To be willing to accept new ideas or change your opinion. Ex: I will keep an open mind to interview new employees.

-Light hearted: Cheerful or amusing rather than serious. Ex: We exchanged many light-hearted opinions.

- Low-key: Relaxed and calm rather than exciting and busy. Ex: His retirement party was a low-key activity.

- Manage unknowns: To deal with situations when not all the facts are known. Ex: My boss needs to manage unknowns with the new financial project.

- Melting-pot: A situation in which large numbers of different people, ideas, etc are mixed together. Ex: Our company is a big melting-pot!!.

-Open-minded: Willing to listen to, think about or accept different ideas.Ex: I will try to be open-minded with my new co-wokers.

- Out-of-the-way: Not close to other places or towns. Ex: The new subsidiary is located out-of-the-way to the highway.

-Outspoken: Saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people. Ex: He was outspoken in his opinions.

- Process information: To deal with information so that you understand it or can use it. Ex: My computer is slowly to process this information.

- Read a situation: To understand what is happening and how people are really feeling, even when this is not expressed in words. Ex:She could not read the situation, because she did not understand what was going on at all.

-Reluctant: Hesitating before you do something because you do not want to do it or are not sure that it is right. Ex: He was reluctant to take the new job, because he does not want to leave his family.

-Run-of-of-the-mill: Ordinary, with no special or interesting features. Ex: It is just a run-of-the-mill hotel. It doesnt have nothing special.

-Self-assured: Having a lot of confidence in yourself and your abilities. Ex: She is a very self-assured manager.

-Skim-through: To read something quickly in order to find a particular point or the main points. Ex: I skimmed through the figures to find new results.

-Tedious: Not interesting and taking too long. Ex: I prefer to avoid tedious works.

-Time-consuming: Taking a long time. Ex: It is a very tedious and time-consuming project.

- Up-and-coming: New and becoming successful. Ex: It is an up-and-coming typical restaurant.

- Weigh up the pros and cons: To consider the advantages and disadvantages of something. Ex: She weigh up the pros and cons of the project, before deal with it.

- Work both ways: To be true for both of two possible situations or for both of two people. Ex: He needs to be confident to work both ways.

(1) Using definitions from Business Result Interactive CD.

Cultural Impact (topic: Business in another country and company)

Interesting! (topic: first impression in a company)

Evaluation

Chronogram