Doing Business Globally: Diversity and Global Etiquette
Mary Lynn Realff, VP, Center for Leadership & Diversity
[email protected]
Michael Michaud, ASME Managing Director, Global Alliances
[email protected]
Objectives & Outcomes Session Objectives 1. Understand the meaning and value of diversity and inclusion. 2. Learn to manage with a diverse lens. 3. Identify cultural biases in ourselves. 4. Recognize the importance of building cross-cultural awareness in our professional lives. 5. Increase awareness of global etiquette.
2
Session Outline • Diversity 101 – What do “Diversity” and “Inclusion” mean? – Why do we promote diversity? – How do we manage diversity at ASME?
• Global Etiquette & Cultural Competency – Why is global business etiquette important? – How does culture affect behavior? – How to be self-aware when communicating and doing business cross-culturally? 3
Defining Diversity & Inclusion Diversity refers to differences such as age, gender, ethnicity physical appearance, thought styles, religion, nationality, socio-economic status, belief systems, sexual orientation and education.
Inclusion refers to the creation of opportunities and the elimination of barriers that allow all people to participate in and contribute to ideation, planning, projects, programs, processes, teams, organizations, social activities, fun or any other opportunity that helps achieve successful outcomes. 4
Diversity @ ASME ASME policy P-15.11 “Diversity and Inclusion” “…ASME shall dedicate time and resources to ensure the active participation as well as leadership opportunities of talented individuals from all segments of society.”
5
Source: http://files.asme.org/asmeorg/Governance/7648.pdf
ASME Core Values In performing its mission, ASME adheres to these core values: • Embrace integrity and ethical conduct.
• Embrace diversity and respect the dignity and culture of all people. • Nurture and treasure the environment and our natural and man- made resources. • Facilitate the development, dissemination and application of engineering knowledge. • Promote the benefits of continuing education and of engineering education. • Respect and document engineering history while continually embracing change. • Promote the technical and societal contribution of engineers. 6
– Source: http://www.asme.org/about/Vision_Mission_Core_Values.cfm
Diversity as Strategy • Strategic Diversity is the effective deployment of strategies that leverage the strengths of a diverse organization operating within a diverse marketplace or society. • Managing Diversity is the ability to effectively “inspire” people to appropriately do what’s needed, where needed, when needed, and make the most of the resources available.
7
Embracing and Leveraging Diversity • Catering to a global workforce and engaging global members leverages geographic and cultural diversity. • Increasing female and under-represented minorities within ASME leverages gender and ethnic diversity. • Becoming indispensable to young engineers leverages age diversity. • Achieving a multidisciplinary approach leverages technical knowledge diversity. • Achieving a priority of enhanced industry-government involvement leverages sector diversity. 8
ASME’s Global Impact GLOBAL IMPACT one of ASME’s three strategic priorities “In the area of Global Impact, ASME will deliver locally relevant engineering resources to advance public safety and quality of life throughout the world.” 9
Why is Global Business Etiquette Important? • With the “shrinking world” effect of globalization, a critical element of success is the demonstration of respect and appreciation for cultural difference.
• The ability to manage and do business with people from different countries is no longer just a nice skill to have; it is a necessity. • ASME’s commitment to global impact comes with a responsibility to ensure that our members are prepared to work across cultural and geographic differences. 10
What is Etiquette? • Code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group • The etiquette of business is the set of written and unwritten rules of conduct that make social interactions run more smoothly • NOTE: etiquette is not recognized as one uniform set of standards around the world!
11
Time to play…
Who wants to be a Global Millionaire?
12
In all but one of the following countries it is expected that you bring a gift to a business meeting. In which country is it not expected? 50/50
A. China
C. Japan
13
B. Czech Republic
D. Denmark
In all but one of the following countries it is expected that you bring a gift to a business meeting. In which country is it not expected? 50/50
B. Czech Republic
D. Denmark
14
In all but one of the following countries it is expected that you bring a gift to a business meeting. In which country is not expected? 50/50
B. Czech Republic
D. Denmark
15
In Saudi Arabia, which is considered a popular gesture of friendship between men? 50/50
A. A high five
C. A hand shake
16
B. Holding hands while walking
D. A hug and kiss on the cheek
In Saudi Arabia, which is considered a popular gesture of friendship between men? 50/50
A. A high five
C. A hand shake
17
B. Holding hands while walking
D. A hug and kiss on the cheek
In Great Britain, tapping your nose indicates that something is: 50/50
A. Confidential
C. Inappropriate
18
B. Smelly
D. Very important
In Great Britain, tapping your nose indicates that something is: 50/50
A. Confidential
C. Inappropriate
19
B. Smelly
D. Very important
Which of the following is associated with dead and should not be given as a gift in the Chinese culture? 50/50
A. Clocks
C. Handkerchief
20
B. Straw sandals
D. Crane
Which of the following is associated with dead and should not be given as a gift in the Chinese culture? 50/50
A. Clocks
C. Handkerchief
21
B. Straw sandals
D. Crane
When treating a client to a business meal in China or Norway, the most appropriate tipping strategy would be: 50/50
A. 15% tip
C. No tip at all
22
B. The more, the better
D. 20% tip
When treating a client to a business meal in China or Norway, the most appropriate tipping strategy would be: 50/50
A. 15% tip
C. No tip at all
23
B. The more, the better
D. 20% tip
When treating a client to a business meal in the U.S. the most appropriate tipping strategy would be: 50/50
A. 15% tip
C. No tip at all
24
B. The more, the better
D. 20% tip
When treating a client to a business meal in the U.S. the most appropriate tipping strategy would be: 50/50
A. 15% tip
C. No tip at all
25
B. The more, the better
D. 20% tip
Other Cultures – Other Worlds • Culture is the dominant set of behaviors, values, beliefs, and thinking patterns we learn as we grow and develop in our social groups. • Culture determines how we view ourselves and others, how we behave and how we perceive the world around us. • We tend to believe that our way of viewing the world is the only way, or at least the best. 26
Environmental Variables Affecting Management Functions Sociocultural Variables
National Variables Economic System Legal System Political System
Physical Situation Technological know how
Religion Education Language
Cultural Variables Values
Norms
Beliefs
Attitudes Work Time Change Materialism Individualism Individual and Group Employee Job Behavior Motivation Productivity Commitment Ethics International Management: Managing Across Cultures and Borders, 3rd Edition, Deresky, P. 106
Cultural Differences • Some main indicators of cultural differences are: – Behavioral patterns: appearance vs. reality – Non-verbal behavior: Gestures, signs, mimics – Distance behavior: personal space vs. closeness 28
Behavioral Pattern • If we don’t know anything about other cultures, we tend to use stereotypes as our knowledge base – Is this a right approach? • What are stereotypes? – Negative labeling of a certain group or culture based on the actions and/or appearances of a few individuals.
29
Non-Verbal Behavior • Understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages. • Language is not the only source of communication; there are other means, including: – Gestures and touch – Body language or posture, facial expression and eye contact – Object communication such as clothing, hairstyles or even architecture and symbols 30
Non-Verbal Behavior • Nonverbal communication plays an important role on an emotional level. • It constitutes a main part of intercultural communications. • Problems and conflicts can occur when expressing gestures or facial expressions in other cultures – messages can often be misinterpreted.
31
What does this gesture mean? 50/50
A. Okay
C. Something is not important 32
B. Sexual harassment
D. Money
What does this gesture mean? 50/50
A. Okay
C. Something is not important 33
B. Sexual harassment
D. Money
What does this gesture mean? 50/50
34
A. Okay – United States
B. Sexual harassment – Greece, Turkey
C. Something is not important – Belgium, France
D. Money - Japan
Distance Behavior • The right personal distance when conducting business shows respect and acceptance. – Too much distance gives the impression of dislike and discomfort. – Too little will make the person draw back.
35
Conclusions • Rules of conduct and business etiquette exist in every culture and help us to know how to behave in each situation. • We know how to behave in our culture of origin, but we don’t know how to behave in a foreign culture – there are no general international rules of etiquette. • Global etiquette can make the difference between opening or closing doors to business opportunities. • We need to build cultural awareness and seek specific knowledge of other cultures to navigate global business and partnership opportunities. 36
5 Keys to Doing Business Globally 1. Be aware of your own culture and its impact on you. 2. Don’t expect others to think the same way you do. 3. Accept local customs and norms and try to adapt your behavior, but don’t try to imitate or act against your own norms and values. 4. Be open, flexible, self critical, tolerant, sensitive and show willingness to get involved in another culture. 5. Open your senses--be attentive and stay patient! Listen, observe and try to understand before judging and evaluating other behaviors. 37
Credit: KeKCo - Kerstin Kühlborn Coaching & Consulting
Working on Cross-Cultural Teams • Working with foreign colleagues should not be regarded as a burden, but as an enrichment. • Be helpful when recognizing language barriers, but don’t be arrogant or correct every sentence.
• Take an interest in other cultures. Encourage colleagues to share their unique experiences. • Be careful not to mock or joke about culturally sensitive issues. Humor is highly subjective and varies widely across cultures.
38
Credit: KeKCo - Kerstin Kühlborn Coaching & Consulting
Cultural Resources • Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hand, The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More than 60 Countries, Authors: Morrison, Conway • Culturegrams.com • CIA World Factbook - https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ • Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business,Trompenaars, Hampden-Turner • International Management: Managing Across Cultures and Borders, Third Edition, Deresky • Managing Cultural Differences, Eighth Edition: Global Leadership Strategies for Cross-Cultural Business Success, Moran, Harris, Moran
39
40
Contact Information • Contact Information: – Dr. Mary Lynn Realff – Michael Michaud
• This presentation will be posted on the 2011 LTC Web Site, at: http://events.asme.org/ltc11/ 41
