"Culture is beneath awareness in the sense that no one bothers to verbalize it, yet it forms the roots of action. It...likens an iceberg, with its largest implicit part beneath the water."
The Importance of Being Curious
What do the resumes of top CEOs have in common? A new study reveals that the answer is International business experience. Living and traveling overseas alone, however, does not automatically gains you the advantage of managing complex global businesses. The key lies in the attitude and skills in developing perspectives through the lens of the other cultures. This calls for an accurate sense of curiosity, inquisitiveness and a motivated interest in all things foreign.
Humor - Friend or Foe When Crossing Borders?
Does humor translate across cultures? Is it safe to presume that a joke is a joke, regardless where you come from? Not quite. Humor is intuitive, situational and culturally based. The moment you start to analyze a joke, it is no longer humorous.
Google and Face
Has Google achieved its objective by publicly confronting the Chinese government's censorship policy? Did it plan to sacrifice its business all along, or is it caught off-guard by the aftermath of its decision? Loss of face has a high cost of doing business with the Chinese, and remembering its importance can help you find alternative solutions to thorny problems.
Gan Bei, Cheers and More
Building personal relationships is key to doing business with the Chinese. Say you find yourself in the company of your Chinese business partner over a private dinner. This is a golden opportunity to get to know each other and establish personal rapport. What should you do and say to make sure the dinner ends on a high note?