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Oct 26

Diwali – The Festival of Lights

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

Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals. During this festival, houses are illuminated with a myriad of candles and small lamps called Diyas. The name Diwali is an abbreviation of the word Deepavali which literally means “row of lights”. Most people refer to this holiday in English as the “Festival of Lights”. Diwali usually occurs between mid-October and mid-November and lasts for five days. Anyone living and working in India or doing business with Indian counterparts should be aware of the importance of this holiday and how it impacts Indian culture and life each year.

Diwali Diyas© Kulpreet Photography i5 Diwali – The Festival of Lights

© istockphoto.com/Kulpreet

Celebrations of Diwali in India have ancient religious origins. Each of the five days of this festival celebrates a particular legend or story. The first day of Diwali, for example, is Dhanteras and usually marks the beginning of the financial year as it is believed to be a time for wealth and prosperity. On this first day of the festival people pray to the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, who people guide into their homes by lighting candles and diyas in their houses and on the streets.

Another legend commemorated during Diwali is about Rama and his wife Sita who he saved from the demon Ravana before returning to Ayodhya to become king. On their way back, Rama and his wife could not see as it was a very dark night, so people placed lamps outside their houses to help them find their way home.

Diwali is celebrated in different ways across India and other countries. For example people in Northern India tend to celebrate Rama’s legend while in Gujarat and Maharashtra they celebrate the Goddess Lakshmi more. In Nepal the festival focuses on the defeat of the demon king Narakaasura by Lord Krishna, while in Bengal they tend to focus on celebrating the Goddess Kali. Despite these differences, there are a few main ideas that remain the same everywhere: light triumphs over darkness, good supersedes evil and knowledge prevails over ignorance.

Before the start of Diwali festivals people redecorate their homes and draw traditional motifs of ‘rangoli’ at the entrances. They also wear new clothes and prepare big festive meals. People also decorate their houses lighting Diyas and big firework displays in celebration are a tradition.

During Diwali one of the most important rituals is the exchange of gifts to show love and affection to family members and friends. Even people who live far from their families usually send greetings and gifts to their beloved at home. Common gifts are flowers, sweets, dry fruit and nuts, clothes and silver or gold items such as jewellery or other decorative objects.

Diwali is celebrated around the world by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. Anyone living and working in India or other countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore should be aware of how Diwali impacts daily life in this period.

Here are some tips to help you show respect and work effectively with your Indian counterparts during this holiday.

  • Plan meetings without interfering with Diwali’s celebration. Be aware that a lot of business people will take the day off in preparation for a new accounting year and to spend time with their families.
  • Don’t set any project deadlines that coincide with Diwali.
  • If you work regularly with people who celebrate Diwali, you can show respect for their tradition and your relationship by giving them a small gift such as a box of sweets or nuts. If you cannot give them a gift, a small greeting by email would also be appreciated.
  • Indians tend to spend lots of money on the first day of Diwali buying presents and shopping in general, so if you are with them accept any generosity graciously.
  • Don’t say “no” to an invite to Diwali celebrations. This can be a great to way to build relationships with your colleagues and experience a unique cultural festival.
  • If invited to Diwali celebrations, or if sharing a meal with colleagues who celebrate Diwali, avoid drinking alcohol.

Cross cultural awareness training programmes like Living and Working in India or Doing Business in India can provide you with the essential knowledge you need about the country and its culture. By showing an understanding of key Indian traditions or holidays like Diwali, you can build more effective social and business relationships which will create more value in the long-term.

Don’t forget to send your colleagues a traditional Diwali greeting in the appropriate language!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Aug 26

The Intercultural Challenges of Expatriations: A Look at the Difficulties Partners Face

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation No Comments »

A recent article in the New York Times highlighted how expatriations can be hindered by how well partners integrate to the new culture. As the number of expatriates around the world increases, the number of partners who fail to successfully adapt to the new culture multiplies. Many partners lack the appropriate spouse and family training and support and are therefore often unprepared for their relocation. Difficulties finding a job abroad, creating new networks and adapting to life in the new country as a result can add a lot of pressure on the employee and their relationship with their partner, thereby jeopardising the whole expatriation.

Family looking at globe Константин Чагин i The Intercultural Challenges of Expatriations: A Look at the Difficulties Partners Face

© istockphoto.com/Константин Чагин)

Tell me about yourself

One of the first barriers that partners face is in finding a job which is a very important and often stressful step for the partner. Using a new language, creating a CV and cover letter and applying for roles in unfamiliar companies can be source of anxiety. Statistics show it is now increasingly complex for partners to find jobs successfully in the target culture. In 2006 the number of partners who were able to find a job in the new country decreased by about 10%. The lack of employment opportunities for partners can sometimes create anxiety about the expatriation which can put immense pressure on the success of the assignment.

Building a new web

Moving to a new culture means leaving behind a network of friends, family and co-workers. Without this support network, partners can sometimes feel alone in the new environment and struggle to create a new group of friends and contacts. Meeting new people and being able to socialise are both essential to the partner’s enjoyment and success of the expatriation as they can provide the support they require to manage culture shock and the adaptation process.

When in Rome…

Another factor that can hinder the success of expatriations is how well partners adapt to life in the new country and the many new cultural values and traditions. A lack of cultural awareness and understanding can lead to many misunderstandings and often culture shock which can have long-lasting effects if not anticipated and managed effectively. Spouse and family training and support can provide partners with the knowledge, skills and support they need to settle into life in the new country quickly and find success for the duration of the expatriation.

These challenges and others often leave partners and families feeling less motivated to go an expatriation. This in turn impacts the level of interest employees will show in international roles. As a result, many companies are finding it difficult to find employees who are not only qualified but also interested in going on an expatriation.

Showing employees that they and their family will receive partner and family training and support can encourage more interest in international roles. By providing expats with the appropriate training they will also be better prepared for the adjustment they will have to go through and they will be more likely to stay for the duration of the assignment. Reducing the chances of an early return can help companies increase their ROI on expatriations while it can also improve the family’s enjoyment of the whole experience.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Jul 01

Living and Working Abroad – The Expatriate Experience

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation No Comments »

Recent research by Mercer, quoted in an article by the Financial Times, suggests the number of expatriates around the world has increased by 4% since 2009 despite the economic downturn and the many cuts companies are implementing. As more and more companies send employees to live and work abroad, they need to consider a number of key factors including the importance of selecting the right location, understanding the local culture and providing the right level of cultural awareness training for relocation initiatives.

Airplane Maurits Vink i Living and Working Abroad The Expatriate Experience

© istockphoto.com/Maurits Vink

Location, Location, Location.

Current expat trends show that Western Europe and the US are the two biggest poles sending and receiving expats. London and Geneva are considered to be the best cities in Europe while New York seems to be the favourite in the US, especially for bankers. The Asia-Pacific zone is currently experiencing an important rise in expatriates, especially in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong. However, there is a visible drop in expatriations in Africa due to the current political tensions and wars.

Sending employees abroad can provide significant opportunities for companies as well as for employees.  For expatriations to be a success for both parties, however, companies must carefully consider the following aspects when selecting a location:

  • Current market situation and opportunities
  • Added value of the country and its knowledge in a specific field
  • Local savoir-faire and experiences that can be shared with other parts of the business
  • Expat expectations and specialisations. For example, engineers in the oil and gas industry are ideal for assignments in the Middle East or Africa
  • Expat profile and situation (gender, family, etc.) which determines the level of living conditions required

The Pros and Cons of Expatriations

Attitudes towards expatriations can be very mixed. While some see the benefits, many employees are often more worried about the many challenges international assignments can present. From losing touch with the parent company to not receiving adequate cultural awareness training support, employees can sometimes fail to see the many benefits an international assignment can bring both personally and professionally.

Any company hoping to send employees abroad therefore needs to actively present international assignments as positive opportunities by emphasising their advantages.  Highlighting some of the following topics can help companies avoid creating mistrust or misunderstanding with potential expatriates:

  • Potential for career progression
  • Increased salary or compensation in many cases
  • Attractive perks and benefits for the whole family
  • Development of professional skills that could lead to future promotion
  • Enhanced personal experiences and potential opportunities for travel they will have abroad
  • Discovery of new people, traditions, landscapes and ways of working
  • Familiarise kids to a new language and culture and open their mind
  • Added values and benefits that the employee will contribute to the company

Expatriates need to understand that it is the right moment to go abroad and that it will result in benefits not only for the company but for themselves.

“Fortune favours the prepared mind” – Louis Pasteur

When relocating abroad, expatriates face a whole new set of cultural norms, attitudes and behaviours. Their ability to integrate their new cultural surroundings with their own unique cultural background and expectations is paramount to the success of the expatriation.

Expatriates must have an in-depth understanding of the destination country in order to avoid culture shock and to build more profitable relationships with locals. Living and working in another country can be radically different so it’s essential that expats have the cultural skills they need to adapt to and understand the new customs and traditions they encounter to optimise the expatriation.

Cultural awareness training for relocation programmes such as Living and Working in China can vastly help to improve an expatriate’s experience and success when living and working abroad. Cultural awareness training helps to prepare future expatriates and their families for their relocation abroad and provides them with a global understanding of the culture, values, customs and traditions of the new country.

The family should also be involved in cultural awareness training, as studies show that if the family does not successfully adapt to the host country, the whole expatriation could be in jeopardy. By having expatriates and their families participate in a culture for relocation programme, companies will get the most out of the employee’s assignment, thereby increasing their ROI.

Expatriations offer a unique experience for both the expatriate employee and their family. As such the importance of cultural awareness training programmes should not be underestimated. Providing the right level of cultural support and training combined with selecting the most appropriate location and marketing the benefits of the assignment, companies can truly benefit from sending their employees to live and work abroad.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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May 31

Top Tips for Doing Business in Japan

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 »

Japan has evolved over the last half century to become one of the world’s richest and most technologically advanced economies, well known for its exports of cars and electronic goods. In addition, a well educated population with an incredibly strong work ethic means that Japan offers a wealth of investment and market opportunities to international organisations.

Made up of over 3,000 islands, Japan has some of the most crowded urban areas in the world since the majority of people live on only a few of the islands. It is not surprising then that personal space is highly valued in Japan and gestures and facial expressions tend to be modest when doing business in Japan.

Japan Chris Pritchard i Top Tips for Doing Business in Japan

© istockphoto.com/Chris Pritchard

As an island country, Japan’s population has remained extremely homogenous and you will find a strong sense of group identity when doing business in Japan. The distinction between private and public life is blurred where teamwork and ‘fitting in’ are much more important than individualism in Japan. That being said, the younger generation of Japanese starting to enter the business world are increasingly making efforts to stand out from the crowd in the way they dress, communicate and act.

During the tragic events that occurred in March 2011, the world also witnessed another Japanese value: the importance of maintaining face and dignity at all times. Most foreigners living and working in Japan at the time were struck by the calm nature and self-control displayed by the local population during and after the earthquake and the tsunami that led to a nuclear situation. The importance of face and dignity are values that can be found in almost every aspect of Japanese social and business cultures so you will often find that your Japanese counterparts will seldom display their emotions or feelings in order to keep face.

The following tips will help you improve your success when doing business in Japan.

  • Avoid causing loss of face at all costs. Don’t be confrontational or openly criticise or embarrass Japanese colleagues as they will lose ‘kao’, or face.
  • Be aware that Japanese business culture is hierarchical. Be sure you always greet the most senior people in the room before anyone more junior.
  • Don’t be afraid of silence as it causes less anxiety than in the West and is often used as a negotiating tactic.
  • Be aware of your body language and try to maintain a formal posture during meetings. Avoid slumping or crossing your legs as this could give a negative impression.
  • Make sure you take plenty of business cards with you and have your details printed in Japanese on the reverse when doing business in Japan.
  • Japan is a country with a high usage of technology which most of the population has access to. You can expect your Japanese colleagues to be comfortable with virtual communication, however as they are relationship focused you should always try to find time for face-to-face meetings.
  • Avoid physical contact or expansive gestures and facial expressions when doing business in Japan. Most Japanese are modest and reserved in their behaviour and value the space around them.
  • Address your business partners by their surname. To show even more respect, add ‘san’ after their surname. For example, Akira Kurosawa could be addressed as Mr Akira Kurosawa or Kurosawa San.
  • Offer your Japanese counterparts a small gift when meeting or visiting them. Your gift should be well wrapped but modest and not too personal. Don’t expect them to open it in front of you as this may cause loss of face to one of the parties.
  • Relationships and networks are a key part of Japanese business culture. Many international companies doing business in Japan find more success when they rely on a third party to help introduce them and build their reputation in the market.

Considering and respecting the top tips for doing business in Japan above is the first step towards building effective relationships with your Japanese counterparts. Participating in a cross cultural awareness training course such as Doing Business in Japan will give you a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic and fast-changing culture so that you can anticipate and manage cultural differences more effectively and build better business relationships.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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May 12

Leading across Cultures: Cross Cultural Perceptions of the Perfect Leader

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 »

Have you ever wondered how people with impressive experience might fail to achieve their goals because of a lack of international competence? Or perhaps you’ve seen how others might be prevented from finishing their project because they can’t create a positive relationship with their colleagues? Or maybe you’ve felt frustrated because your potential is not understood or blocked by resistance? Perceptions and challenges like these are commonplace when working with international counterparts or leading across cultures.

Business People walking urbancow i Leading across Cultures: Cross Cultural Perceptions of the Perfect Leader

© istockphoto.com/Urbancow

One person who is experiencing some of the challenges of leading across cultures is UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Since his childhood Ban Ki-moon has always struck people for his modesty, competence and perseverance. It is said that in order to practise English he used to regularly walk several miles to reach a farmer who hosted Americans. He attended university in Seoul and Harvard and his diplomatic career started soon after graduation. In short, Mr. Ban’s profile on paper is immaculate, but some of his colleagues at the United Nations do not have an extraordinary opinion of him as a global leader.

Many of Mr. Ban’s American and European colleagues in particular think that his contributions to the UN have been minimal. They also complain that he often becomes an invisible presence in public, especially when compared with his predecessor Kofi Annan. Unfortunately they seem to forget about Mr. Ban’s successful contributions to issues such as global warming and peacekeeping in Darfur, as well as his position regarding the situation in the Gaza bank.

So why do some people have a negative perception of Mr. Ban? Some might suggest that this is caused by his way of operating which tends to be characterised by discretion and personal meetings away from the limelight.

Interestingly, UN Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information Kiyo Akasaka feels that the core reason for this misunderstanding is the cultural perception of leadership. Mr. Ban is an emblem of Confucian values which are reflected in his modesty and discipline as well as his ability to blend in with the crowd in an attempt to establish harmony. These skills are highly valued in certain cultures, and Mr. Ban is seen as a strong leader in the Far East where Confucian values are most prevalent.

Perceptions and expectations about what a global leader should do or say differ greatly from one culture to another. Many Westerners tend to prefer strong and charismatic leaders who lead by example and show strong beliefs and values. Others from Confucian cultures would instead prefer their leaders to have a strong ability to maintain harmony within the group and avoid boasting or taking all of the credit for an achievement.

Understanding some of the cultural traits evident in Mr. Ban’s cross-cultural leadership style, we can see why his style may be less appreciated by his American and European colleagues. However, employees of the UN, a strong and truly international organisation, should adjust their expectations and try to be objective in their evaluation of UN representatives. Equally, as the leader of an international organisation, Mr. Ban should also adapt his communication and leadership style and be able to adopt a wide range of manners depending on the context in order to appeal to a bigger audience and be better understood and appreciated

Mr. Ban’s example reminds us that anyone leading across cultures must be aware of how cultural values can shape and influence your own and others’ expectations and leadership styles. Cross-cultural training programmes like Leading across Cultures are absolutely imperative for global leaders who must effectively manage and anticipate any cross-cultural barriers that different cultural perspectives can create.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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May 09

Cultural Intelligence: A Necessity for Working Effectively across Cultures

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 »

Doing business with colleagues, clients and partners from around the globe is now commonplace for many professionals. While some of us frequently travel abroad to do business with colleagues in a different cultural background on a daily basis, others are communicating with international counterparts by phone, email or other virtual platforms.  Working effectively across cultures, whether face-to-face or virtually, requires a high level of cultural intelligence.

Business Meeting 13 track5 i Cultural Intelligence: A Necessity for Working Effectively across Cultures

© istockphoto.com/ Track 5

Cultural intelligence has been defined in many ways over the years, but in simple terms it is the ability to interact confidently and effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds on a social and professional level.

Cultural intelligence requires being aware of your own culture as well as cultural differences in the way that others behave and think. Many individuals, though not all, who have extensive experience travelling and working with other cultures often become “global chameleons” and develop a high level of cultural intelligence. Through experience, intercultural training initiatives and cross-cultural interactions, global chameleons are people who have learned to effectively adapt their behaviour and attitudes instinctively when working across cultures.

According to Joo-Seng Tan, Director of the Centre for Cultural Intelligence at the Nanyang Business School in Singapore, there are three key steps to developing cultural intelligence:

1. Think about culture

2. Be motivated to change your behaviour

3. Act in an appropriate way

Although these three steps seem pretty straight forward, they require a specific set of cross-cultural skills and attitudes which can be difficult to develop on your own. Most of us simply lack the knowledge to do so and, as we all know, motivating yourself can be quite hard too. Participating in a cross-cultural awareness course like Working Effectively across Cultures can help you work through these three steps and others to develop the level of cultural intelligence you require in your unique international role.

Experienced cross-cultural experts will not only tell you more about different cultural values, such as how attitudes to time, tasks or risk might impact your working relationships, but they will also help you to reflect about your own cultural identity to increase your self-awareness. By sharing with you anecdotes and first hand experiences and discussing your own, they will help you to identify differences and similarities between cultures so that you start to understand how to respond appropriately in each cultural context.

Cultural intelligence is important for anyone working across cultures, but it is particularly beneficial for international managers and global business leaders. Culturally intelligent managers are able to see how their employees behave in different cultural settings and understand what they expect. Culturally intelligent managers have the ability, as Tan suggests, to “create a new mental framework for understanding what they experience”, which allows them to consider how working practices and communication styles could be different when working across cultures. A high level of cultural intelligence helps them to create a positive environment, harness team member’s skills and develop high performing teams that will deliver the best results when working across cultures.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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May 06

Understanding the World of ‘Third Culture Kids’

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 »

What do Yoko Ono, Carlos Fuente and Barack Obama all have in common? A shared cultural identity based on similar upbringings: they are Third Culture Kids.

Third Culture Kids spend their developmental years in a fusion of multiple cultures, typically growing up in countries different from their parents’ ‘passport country’. Dr. Ruth Hill Useem first coined the phrase in the 1950s when she was conducting primary research on American children in India. Useem recognised that children growing up in this fusion of cultures exhibited elements of their parents’ cultural background as well as facets of their immediate cultural surroundings, thereby creating their own ‘third culture’.

Flower Tulips Maria Pavlova i Understanding the World of ‘Third Culture Kids’

© istockphoto.com/ Maria Pavlova

TCKs have an innate open-mindedness and cross-cultural awareness that significantly helps them to cope with their unique cultural make-up and use it to their advantage. They usually come from globally mobile groups such as expatriate communities, the military, governmental bodies or missionaries.

When parents decide to accept an international assignment they must consider the long-term impact that exposure to multiple cultures will have on their children. Unlike adults, children and teenagers can be more deeply affected by their experiences abroad. Why? Because, unlike their parents, they are in a natural process of developing their identity.  Exposure to multiple cultures at an early age means that each new experience will be embedded in their identities for life. This is a key characteristic of TCKs and a massively potential tool for their future professional lives. Given the implications that international assignments can have on families, spouse and family training can be worth its weight in gold.

The TCK community is vast. TCKid, a non-profit community supporting TCKs around the world, welcomes over 21,000 website members, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Every TCK possesses a unique multicultural identity but they are all able to lay claim to a common TCK identity. Common behavioural characteristics of TCKs might include the ability to:

  • Build cultural bridges easily
  • Integrate well into new surroundings
  • Adapt well to unfamiliar situations
  • Pick up new languages with ease
  • Adopt an open-minded and flexible approach with others
  • Demonstrate maturity at an earlier age than their non-TCK peers

Although TCKs tend to have a high level of cross-cultural awareness, they also have a concerning identity dilemma. TCKs live in a dichotomy of worlds. They identify with an abundance of cultures but yet they are unable to take full ownership of any. As they get older, questions such as ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Where is home?’ becoming increasingly difficult to answer. For a TCK, home is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

TCKs have little experience in domestic schools where peers do not fully appreciate their multicultural backgrounds. Often on repatriation to their ‘passport countries’, this can sometimes push them to the fringes of social groups where they are misunderstood or simply do not feel like they fit in. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is common to find TCKs who possess a deep-rooted wanderlust.

Third Culture Kids are Third Culture Kids for life. When they can recognise their own TCK behaviours, feelings and identity traits they are more likely to realise that they do in fact share a common ground with others. TCKs of all ages can manage their cross-cultural awareness and unique multicultural identities and use them to their advantage rather than a restraint, throughout life.

Parents and TCKs alike can benefit immensely from spouse and family training programmes before, during and after an international assignment. Culture for relocation programmes like these provide opportunities to discuss the challenges of each international assignment and develop strategies for the whole family to ensure they effectively adjust to their new environment, no matter how many cultures may be present.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Apr 22

Celebrating Easter across Cultures

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

Millions of people are going to celebrate Easter this weekend, an important holiday in the Christian faith that is celebrated around the world. Easter originally stems from pagan traditions which celebrated the goddess Eostre and spring. Many of these traditions then merged with the Christian celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection around the same time, creating the holiday which we now celebrate today.

Celebrations of Easter can vary dramatically across cultures. For some, Easter still has a very deep religious meaning and will be celebrated traditionally with periods of fasting, prayer and feasts. Others will celebrate with a simple meal together with family, a service at Church or games with children.

No matter where in the world you are doing business, it’s important to recognise the importance of this holiday and how it is celebrated when working across cultures. Here are a few ideas of the festivities and traditions you may come across when doing business in the US, France, the Czech Republic and Spain.

Easter Eggs gilaxia i Celebrating Easter across Cultures

© istockphoto.com/ Gilaxia

Easter in the US

Easter is celebrated to varying degrees in the US. Some people will go to church for every symbolic event during the Easter period while others may only celebrate with a traditional meal on Easter Sunday. Good Friday is a public holiday in the US, but Easter Monday may only be given as a holiday by some businesses so when doing business in the US always ask when your counterparts will be working during this time.

Easter tends to be a very popular holiday with children in the US and often involves events or food around the theme of bunnies and eggs. Easter egg hunts are one of the most common American Easter traditions. Another popular Easter tradition in the US for children and adults alike is egg rolling. The most famous egg rolling race in the US takes place on the lawn of the White House and involves children and parents pushing eggs through the grass with wooden spoons. Children also traditionally wake up to a basket of chocolates, jelly beans and other treats or small gifts on Easter Sunday.

Easter in France

In France, flying bells replace the symbol of the bunny. Children believe that the flying bells hide chocolate eggs in the garden while they are sleeping. This tradition comes from a Christian belief that church bells flew to the Vatican in Rome to see the Pope and returned on Easter Sunday bringing chocolate and eggs. This belief is one reason why church bells do not ring from Good Friday to Easter Monday in France.

To celebrate Easter many families in France will share a meal together and give chocolate flying bells, eggs and bunnies to children and boxes of chocolates to family, friends and colleagues. Easter Monday is a bank holiday so bear this in mind when doing business in France.

Easter in the Czech Republic

The most popular Easter game in the Czech Republic is egg tapping. In this game players must tap each other’s hard boiled and decorated eggs with their own in an attempt to break them without damaging their egg. In some areas of the Czech Republic, men will gently hit women with handmade whips decorated with ribbons on Easter Monday. This tradition can be linked to a legend of the Middle Ages which suggested that women should be spanked to stay healthy and beautiful for the coming year. In Prague, music festivals and Easter markets animate the city.

Many of these traditions are also celebrated in other countries in Central and Eastern Europe such as Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Home to many Orthodox beliefs, many Eastern European countries celebrate Easter more religiously with periods of prayer and feasts with family. Easter is the period where thousands of Orthodox pilgrims converge on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Orthodox Church celebrates Easter according to the Julian calendar, so the date may vary from the Christian calendar. Bear this in mind when doing business in Central and Eastern Europe as working hours may be disrupted in a different way.

Easter in Spain

In Spain the week leading up to Easter called Semana Santa is celebrated with great effort. On Palm Sunday people traditionally attend morning mass and then watch a procession organised by local churches to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. During the procession children and adults will often carry palm leaves for the priest to bless. On Ash Wednesday worshippers may fast and also place ashes on their foreheads as a sign of remorse. This tradition can be seen by many practising Christians around the world.

On Easter Sunday some cities like Almaden de la Plata and Castilblanco de los Arroyos have Easter parades that end with the burning of giant puppets representing famous people. The city of Verges hosts a traditional midnight death dance parade where people wear costumes. At the end of the procession people dressed as skeletons carrying boxes of ashes perform a ghoulish dance. In Sevilla, people will wear penitential robes with pointy hats and walk through the streets following heavy wooden floats carried by men. The streets on the route of the Semana Santa procession are covered with fresh rosemary and people will watch from their balconies waving palms as the procession passes. During the Easter Sunday feast, godfathers will often give their godchildren a traditional cake called ‘La Mona’.

Easter traditions around the world can have a huge impact on anyone doing business internationally. Showing an awareness of the religious and cultural traditions that form part of Easter will help you to not only make a positive impression when working across cultures but it will help you to more effectively manage a period when many people take time off.

Failing to understanding an Easter tradition or not respecting a cultural custom can cause frustration and potential misunderstanding with your international counterparts. A simple greeting, chocolate or card on this holiday could make a huge difference to your cross-cultural relationship, just check what is appropriate in advance.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Apr 21

Top Tips for Doing Business in the Middle East

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

Much of the Middle East’s wealth comes from oil and natural resources, with banking and tourism following close behind. Although some of the region is still struggling with political turmoil and conflict between differing ideologies, much of the Middle East is thriving with immense opportunities for foreign investment and continued economic growth.

Arab businessman monkeybusinessimages i Top Tips for Doing Business in the Middle East

© istockphoto.com/ Monkeybusinessimages

The diverse countries of the Middle East each have their own unique identity and culture but they share many fundamental beliefs and traditions which are common throughout the region. Successfully doing business in the Middle East is impossible without understanding that Islam is a way of life in most Middle Eastern countries and it governs politics, family life, values and business practices. It is essential that you respect Islamic culture, customs and prayer times when doing business in the Middle East.

Personal relationships are highly valued in Middle Eastern cultures and networking is essential to develop relationships before doing business with counterparts in the Middle East. People in the Middle East tend to mix their business and personal life and therefore tend to use personal relationships to get things done.

The following tips will help you ensure that you maximise your opportunities for doing business in the Middle East.

  • Dress conservatively when doing business in the Middle East. This is particularly important for female visitors.
  • Bear in mind that business meetings are less structured in the Middle East than in the West so be ready for later starts, interruptions and deviations from the agenda.
  • Avoid doing business during the holy month of Ramadan. Business activity reduces dramatically during this period as Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk and often participate in celebrations at the end of this period.
  • Don’t forget that the working week usually begins on a Sunday and ends on a Thursday, though it could also begin on a Saturday and end on a Wednesday depending on which country you are doing business with. Always check beforehand.
  • Try to avoid eating pork or drinking alcohol in the presence of your Middle Eastern colleagues and never use your left hand to pass food or drink.
  • Take the time to develop personal relationships with your Middle Eastern partners and ensure you make small talk rather than jumping straight into business discussions.
  • Bear in mind that your ‘word’ will be much more important than a written contract. Make sure you only make promises you can deliver otherwise you risk loss of honour.
  • Remember that while it is polite to enquire about your colleague’s family, you should not ask specifically about female family members.
  • Try not to show discomfort with close proximity or casual touching as this may cause offence.
  • Take time to read about the culture of the country where you are going so you can make educated references to cultural traditions or events they may celebrate. This will show your interest and help give your counterparts in the Middle East a positive first impression.

Considering and respecting the top tips for doing business in the Middle East above is the first step towards building effective relationships with your counterparts from the region. Participating in a cross cultural awareness training course such as Doing Business in the Middle East will give you a deeper insight to the cultural differences you may find in the Middle East and it will improve your ability to anticipate and manage them effectively.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Mar 30

Top Tips for Doing Business in the USA

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

It has been said that Britain and the USA are two countries separated by the same language. Many assume that Brits and Americans are similar due to their colonial ties and special relationship but actually they are often more than just an ocean apart. Since independence in 1776, the United States has developed its own identity and ways of doing things. Compared to the Brits, Americans’ communication style and attitudes are more direct and open and this affects doing business in the USA.

Statue of Liberty 3 Nikada i Top Tips for Doing Business in the USA

© istockphoto.com/ Nikada

Americans tend to be very easy to deal with due to their open nature. They have a very strong work ethic and are not afraid of taking risks to succeed. Success is often measured in terms of profit, so when conducting business, they will tend to prioritise tasks over relationships. Just as former US President Calvin Coolidge once stated, “The business of America is business.”

As the world’s largest economy, America’s influence on business culture around the world is unmistakable. There are boundless opportunities for others to achieve their very own ‘American dream’. An understanding of this young diverse culture as well as knowledge of American business etiquette is essential for anyone doing business in the United States.

The following tips will help you to maximise any opportunities of doing business in the United States.

  • Be punctual. Arriving late to appointments can be considered disrespectful.
  • Meet deadlines. In the United States ‘time is money’ and Americans place great emphasis on getting the best results in the shortest period of time possible.
  • Be polite. Politeness is highly valued in the United States and Americans will expect you to match their level of politeness.
  • Participate in small talk. Americans like to create a comfortable environment before doing business by chatting for a couple of minutes.
  • Always remember to shake hands when greeting American counterparts. It is customary to begin and end business meetings or negotiations with a brief but firm handshake.
  • Americans are known for their openness and are often not afraid to share details of their personal life with you. Following up about an event they went to or a family member they told you about is appreciated and will help you build a stronger relationship with them.
  • Remember to minimise physical contact. Americans respect other people’s space and privacy and are very protective of their own ‘personal bubble’.
  • If you are working on a long-term project in the US, don’t be surprised if a colleague or counterpart invites you to their home for a meal or BBQ.
  • Address colleagues with their appropriate title at first, but don’t be surprised if you are invited to call someone by their first name soon after meeting. Colleagues will almost always refer to each other by their first name.
  • Don’t be offended if your American colleague seems frank. Americans like to get down to business and don’t like to ‘beat around the bush’ when it comes to negotiating. They are often blunt which can be perceived as rudeness by certain cultures.

Considering and respecting the top tips for doing business in the US above is the first step towards building effective relationships with your American counterparts. Participating in a cross cultural awareness training course such as Doing Business in the United States will give you a deeper insight into the cultural differences you may find in the US and it will improve your ability to anticipate and manage them effectively.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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