How to Navigate Cultures
Did you know that when a Bulgarian businessman shakes his head, he’s actually saying “yes”? To someone from another country, your behavior can be as foreign as the language you speak, which is why it’s important to know how to properly interact with business associates from other parts of the world.
For instance:
- Finnish and Swedish business people typically avoid small talk during meetings, getting straight to the point.
- Russians consider it polite to allow the person of highest authority from your party to begin a discussion.
- Norwegians are often straightforward about their ideas and feelings, and may expect you to act the same way.
- In business-formal Korea, something as simple as smiling during a meeting can be interpreted as insincere.
- Business people in some European and South American cultures tend to be extremely laid back, often greeting their colleagues and clients with signs of affection, even hugs.
Being fluent in these cultural peculiarities can make foreign business relationships a success, which is why many consider it paramount to practice the mannerisms of business associates and clients from different backgrounds.
In “How to Navigate Cultures,” we will teach you to avoid cross-cultural communication blunders that could negatively affect your business. You’ll learn the correct way to greet a client or associate from another country, as well as how to properly eat, sit, stand, and when and when not to make eye contact (in some cultures, even something this simple could hurt a business relationship). We’ll also teach you the non-verbal cues of people from different cultures, as well, so you can easily interpret the actions and meanings of your foreign colleagues, so there’s never a misunderstanding or an awkward moment between you.