Share|
May 11

Benefits of Doing Business in the Philippines

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 1 Comment »
Benefits of Doing Business in the Philippines Benefits of Doing Business in the Philippines

© istockphoto.com/ Tonyoquias

The Philippines is blessed with large deposits of natural resources and belongs to the top ten world producers of gold, copper and chromite. The economic upsurge during the past years has made the Philippines a flourishing nation which is among the fastest-growing economies in Asia. It continues to push economic development by attracting foreign investment and ongoing integration in the regional and global market.

  

 

Below are some of the key benefits of doing business in the Philippines.

Openness to New Ideas and Opportunities
Filipinos are more short-term oriented and are therefore receptive to changes and new ideas. The concept of fatalism also plays its share in this regard. Challenges and problems are usually simply accepted and dealt with because Filipinos regard them as determined by fate and hence there is nothing to be done about it.

Strong and Capable Workforce
The workforce in the Philippines consists of a large pool of skilled and highly trainable people. Being a U.S. colony for nearly 50 years left strong American influences and a high proficiency in English. Although distinct in accent and wording, Filipinos have the ability to adopt their communication style to the given situation.

Useful Personal Networks
Business in the Philippines is highly personalised and a lot of time is dedicated to building and nourishing relationships. In fact most business contacts in the Philippines are established through friends or intermediaries. Engaging into business in the Philippines and entering the system of personal networking therefore opens the doors to a vast range of further opportunities.

Domestic and Regional Market Opportunities
Filipinos are a very consumer-driven population with nearly 90 million people. The domestic market therefore offers many sales market opportunities. At the same time, a business location in the Philippines can serve as a strategic position for further Asia-Pacific business expansion programmes. Of particular interest are the lucrative ASEAN market or trade opportunities with East Asia.

Favourable Economic Setting
Since the early 1990s the government in the Philippines has introduced various incentives to create an investor friendly climate and attract foreign business ventures. These include tax deductions and exemptions, income tax holidays, special economic zones as well as non-fiscal incentives such as permanent resident status for foreign investors and their families.

Attending a Doing Business in the Philippines intercultural training course will help individuals and organisations to maximise the benefits of the business endeavours in the Philippines.

Cross cultural awareness training the Philippines programmes are ideal for anyone doing business in the Philippines. Training provides individuals with an in-depth understanding of culture specific behaviour patterns and perceptions so they can be aware of possible challenges they may face and harness the benefits of doing business in the Philippines.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
Share|
May 10

Cultural Profile: Milton J. Bennett

Cross Cultural Training, Culture No Comments »

Name: Milton Bennett

Nationality: American

Known for:

  • Creator of the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
  • Co-founder of the Intercultural Communication Institute and Director of the Intercultural Development Research Institute

Key Publications:

  • American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (Co-author 1991) ME: Intercultural Press
  • Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication: A reader. (Ed. 2007) ME: Intercultural Press
  • Handbook of Intercultural Training (Eds. 2004) Thousand Oaks: Sage

Dr Milton Bennett has been involved in the intercultural field since 1967. He is co-founder of the Intercultural Communication Institute and Director of the Intercultural Development Research Institute. He has a PhD from the University of Minnesota in intercultural communication and sociology, an MA in psycholinguistics from San Francisco State University and a BA from Stanford University. Apart from intercultural communication his interests focus on empathy and consciousness studies.

One of Bennett’s greatest achievements was to create the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity in 1986. The model shows a progression of stages people may go through in developing intercultural competence and has been used in many cross cultural awareness training courses such as Communicaid’s Developing Global Competence.

Read our recent blog article to find out more about one of Bennett’s key intercultural theories: Cross Cultural Theory: Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity

© Communicaid Group Ltd 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
Share|
May 10

Challenges of Doing Business in Italy

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

Modern Italy as we know it is a relatively new country. For centuries it was divided into small city-states and was only unified in the late 1800s before it had to relinquish territories following the events of the Second World War. While Italian is the official national language and the vast majority of the population is Catholic, to this day Italy has remarkable cultural differences throughout its whole territory.

Italy is divided into twenty regions, each of which has unique traditions, customs and often a number of dialects, with a different one usually spoken in each major city. Some regions have acquired ‘special status’ granting them independence from the central government both in financial and political matters.

The result is an extremely diverse geo-economic landscape. An organisation doing business in Italy will find differences amongst regions in infrastructure, sectors, and even employment laws. The difference between north and south can be particularly striking to a visitor. The north is highly developed thanks to the presence of heavy industry and private companies, while the south’s economy is welfare-dependant, mainly agricultural and sees high levels of unemployment.

 

Coliseum Hedda Gjerpen i Challenges of Doing Business in Italy

© istockphoto.com/ROMAOSLO

 

Undertaking a cross-cultural awareness training course such as Communicaid’s Doing Business in Italy programme will increase your organisation’s awareness and understanding of the country’s diversity and its inhabitants’ cultural influences. Intercultural training will help your organisation to operate more effectively in Italy while it will also provide your employees with the cultural knowledge and skills to navigate the cultural differences they are likely to face both in business and everyday practices.

The following are some key differences which might pose challenges for anyone doing business in Italy.

Affective Communication – An important aspect of Italian culture is openly expressing thoughts and feelings. Emotions tend to flow easily in this culture with lots of hand gestures and close personal contact. As a result, Italians are often guided by their feelings and establishing solid relationships based on trust are vital for successful business negotiations in Italy.

‘Bella Figura’ – The term ‘Bella Figura’, a key element in Italian business culture, is often used to describe the ability to present oneself well and behave with formality. In some areas of Italy, particularly the south, maintaining ‘Bella Figura’ is believed to enhance beauty and peace in the world. In Italian culture, appearances and opinions of others are considered extremely important. It is therefore vital when doing business in Italy to ensure that all presentations and business materials are aesthetically pleasing to your Italian counterparts. Furthermore, great detail is paid to the way one dresses so it’s important to consider your clothing carefully before doing business in Italy.

Individualism – While Italian culture has been described as highly individualistic, its not like the form of individualism that can be found in countries like the US, Australia or Sweden. In Italy it signifies a society that emphasises individual responsibility towards family and close friends, relying on a strong network of connections and close family ties. This means that Italians will tend to take care of themselves and their immediate family first. Across Italy you will find many Italian businesses owned by individuals and families. In a business context, individualism influences an Italian’s preference to do business with people they are already familiar with, and rely heavily on direct personal contact, often through mutual friends or acquaintances, to explore new business opportunities.

‘La Cordata’ (Chain of Command) – This concept tends to mean that only the most senior people in a company will make decisions, sometimes leaving those at a lower level with their hands tied. Non-Italian organisations may encounter a great deal of inflexibility when trying to reach a decision and get things done when doing business in Italy.

Thriving, modern and vibrant, Italy is a country with many faces. Romans and Etruscans made it their home, a base from which to conquer and unify Europe and the World. The remains of these ancient civilisations still pave the roads of Italian cities, yet the country today is a jigsaw of cultures and traditions, both ancient and new.

Organisations must be aware of this and the resulting cultural differences and challenges of doing business in Italy. Providing employees cultural awareness training like Communicaid’s Living and Working in Italy programme will give your organisation an essential head start and the competitive edge you need to be successful in the Italian business world.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
Share|
May 07

Cinco de Mayo – A Celebration of Mexican Culture

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

Cinco de Mayo celebrations are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, joining St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest and Chinese New Year as a celebration of one of the many cultures that has contributed to America’s diverse national character. While many people of Mexican origin or descent celebrate Cinco de Mayo, many other Americans celebrate alongside them.

Cities throughout the US have Cinco de Mayo parades and concerts, with celebrations that include Mexican national dress and traditional Mexican food, drink and music. The festival is celebrated in Mexico to an extent, but not as widely as it is in the States.

 

Mexican Carpets ivanastar i Cinco de Mayo – A Celebration of Mexican Culture

© istockphoto.com/ Ivanastar

 

 
The celebration of Cinco de Mayo originates with a battle that took place on 5 May 1862, when an army of around 4,500 poorly-armed Mexicans overcame an invading French army of 6,500 men. The Mexican economy was in tatters, following a war with America and a civil war, and Mexico had been forced to take out loans from other countries, including France, Spain and England.

Mexico had begun to default on the loan repayments and France decided to use this as a pretext for extending its own imperial ambitions. The French invaded Mexico near Veracruz, with the intention of installing Archduke Maximilian of Austria, a relative of Napoleon’s, as ruler.

The French army marched towards Mexico City but was met with strong resistance as they passed through Puebla. It was here that the Mexican militia, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, defeated the French, putting an end to the invasion. This was a famous victory and created a strong sense of national unity, which was sorely needed after the civil war that had taken place only four years beforehand.

Unfortunately, the French army returned a year later, this time bringing thirty thousand men, and was successful in installing Maximilian as ruler.

While modern celebrations focus less on the details of the actual battle, Cinco de Mayo fiestas still have the power to bring people together to celebrate the Mexican culture. Most of Mexico’s celebrations focus on the state of Puebla, where the battle took place, while celebrations in the US often take place in areas with a history of Mexican incomers. These communities make an effort to remember their culture with pride and to maintain a sense of community and unity amongst themselves.

Understanding cultural practices like these can greatly increase the success and enjoyment of an employee’s move to a different culture. Communicaid’s cultural awareness training courses such as Living and Working in the US or Living and Working in Mexico can be invaluable in enhancing this intercultural understanding and experience.

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
Share|
May 06

Challenges of Doing Business in Oman

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

Oman successfully combines the strong traditions of the Middle East with 21st century modernity. The rich historic culture of Oman and the hospitality and tolerance of the Omani people attract visitors and foreign investors alike. However without a thorough understanding and awareness of Oman’s unique business culture and etiquette, these traditions may be considered a challenge. For organisations considering doing business in Oman, an Intercultural Training Middle East programme such as Communicaid’s Doing Business in Oman will deepen their understanding of local customs and culture. Below are some of the key challenges of doing business in Oman.

 

Muscat Oman Matt Kunz i Challenges of Doing Business in Oman

© istockphoto/Matt Kunz

 

Time Orientation
The Omani attitude towards time is relaxed and flexible. People value relationships more than schedules and punctuality. However, even when Omanis arrive late, foreigners are always expected to be on time. This flexible attitude to time is also reflected in business meetings that may be rescheduled or cancelled at the last minute. Foreign businesses also need to remember that in Omani culture the weekend means Thursday and Friday rather than Saturday and Sunday and business meetings or calls should be scheduled accordingly.

Religion
Oman is a devout Muslim country and Islam affects most aspects of Omani life including the value system, dress and behaviour. Any organisation doing business in Oman should be familiar with the influence of religion on the population. This includes understanding behaviour such as the prohibition of alcohol and the conservative dress code. General behaviour excludes mingling of genders which should be respected when doing business in Oman. Also, stereotypes about Islam must be challenged to avoid offending your Omani business counterparts.

Relationships and Family
Omanis have a very strong national identity which evolved from the country’s Arab culture and Islamic roots. Oman’s religious and national values should be acknowledged and respected by visitors and business contacts alike. The family and tribe are highly influential and play a role in shaping a person’s values and behaviour. Foreign investors should not be surprised to find several members of one family working for the same company, something that is common practice in Oman and an integral part of their culture.

Face
As in most Islamic societies, the concept of saving face is one of the key elements of Omani culture. People therefore try to avoid exposure to situations that would threaten their dignity. Foreigners should also take care to avoid publicly criticising their Omani counterparts.

Communicaid’s Cultural Awareness Training Middle East course Doing Business in Oman provides an in-depth understanding of culture-specific behaviour patterns and perceptions and also highlights possible challenges that you may face when working with Omanis. By introducing strategies and solutions to deal with intercultural differences, Communicaid’s cross cultural training for business and management programme is an ideal preparation for any organisation interested in doing business in Oman.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
Share|
May 04

Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

A recent article published by CNN presented France as the best place to live worldwide. Its ‘joie de vivre’ and amazing cultural heritage seem to be acknowledged by everyone. But if this sounds like a good reason to try out the French way of life, it can however bring its own set of challenges. Like every country, France has its cultural particularities that need to be understood to ensure the best possible experience of living and working in France.

France is among the most diverse countries in the world in terms of landscape and environment. From high mountains to sea shores, preserved forests and cultivated farm lands combined with an extensive cultural heritage, you will have a lot to discover when living in France.

 

French Cheese Andreas Arnold i Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges

© istockphoto.com/ Andreas Arnold

 

Living in France can bring many unique and different experiences depending on where you are based in the country. There are huge differences between the north and the south of France, not only in the climate and geography but also in the cultural values and attitudes you will find people have who live in each part. For example, in the north of France, people tend to be more task oriented, have a fairly neutral communication style and can be quite monochronic. Conversely in the south, French will tend to have a more affective communication style and a more flexible approach to time than their fellow citizens in the north.

In addition to the north and south divide, there are also many key differences between the cities. France is a heavily centralised country and Paris is the place where key political, economic and cultural events take place. The pace, population, lifestyle and even the wages differ from the other French major cities. Living in Marseille, Lille or Nantes, for example, you will have an entirely different experience.

Wherever you are living in France, you will probably find a set of key cultural values, traditions and customs that influence most aspects of French culture. One of these key values cherished by the French population is the concept that the French are the best. To put it simply, French often give the impression that if it is not French, it is considered of lesser quality or even completely irrelevant. This attitude can be difficult for foreigners who just arrived in France to understand or accept and can often be interpreted negatively as excessive arrogance or cockiness.

That being said, this attitude of national pride is what drove the French to create some of the most famous brands and products in the world. This constant search of having the best living standards is probably one the most enjoyable parts of being an expatriate living in France. Fine brews and of course the famous French cuisine are the best examples of this.

No matter where you live in France, it’s important to understand what communication styles, cultural values and attitudes to expect. Cultural Awareness Training France programmes like Communicaid’s Living and Working in France can help you anticipate any major cross cultural challenges and increase your understanding of life in France to ensure you have a smooth expatriation.

 © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

pixel Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges
Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • •
Next Entries
preload preload preload
Allow Cookies?
Powered by Strategic Internet Consulting