Cross Cultural Communication

Presentation By:
Rohan Desai (109)
Shruti Jain (119)
Vinay Rachh (132)
Jyotsna Shenoy (142)
Sandeep Tamse (152)
Understanding Business Culture
 What behavior is rewarded, condemned or
ignored?

 What information is shared?

 Are values backed up by time and money?

 Who sets the style and pace?

 Do’s and Don’ts

India
 Meeting and Greeting
 Try and use appropriate formal title
 Business card

 Hierarchy
 important to maintain strong
relationships with senior figures

 Treating Woman
 Not advisable to handshake, an
unfriendly or overfriendly attitude
 Don’t look at her eyes
India
 Working practices
 Indians appreciate punctuality
but may not reciprocate it

 Making decisions is often a slow

and thoughtful process

 The word ‘no’ is often avoided

and is replaced by other non-
verbal cues

 During negotiations, trust and

well-established relationships
with your Indian counterparts
must be in place
India
 What to discuss?
Family and Friends
Politics, cricket and movies
are best bets

 What to gift?
Don’t present liquors as
gifts
Offer the gifts with both
hands with a polite and
warm smile
Don’t stat unwrapping it in
public
Japanese Culture
 Moves and the significance of space
 Description on the calling card:

1st the organization you work for,

2nd your position in that organization,
then, your degrees, honours you have
received, followed by the family name, the
given name and address
Gifts
 Gifts are especially important to Japanese and
specifically gifts from abroad like liquor,
candy, handicraft etc.
 NEVER REFUSE A GIFT, it is the ultimate insult.
 Japanese never tear the gift wrapper
 Japanese etiquette books describe the kind of

gift expected from people at different levels

in the social and economic hierarchy
Punctuality
 Japanese are very punctual
 The Japanese interpret not taking notes or

recording dates and schedules as a sign of

"lack of seriousness”
 ‘No hidden surprises' and are committed to a

very high degree of predictability and

consistent reliability
German Business Culture
 Germans high regard towards technical
education over science of management.
 Diligence, competence and value
 Organization structure hierarchical and

compartmentalized.
 Managers technically competent, clear

command trails
 Socializing with peer group rather than across

hierarchy
Business Meetings and Teams
 Germans pre prepared for meetings, speak
upfront without diplomacy
 Emphasis on specialist, talk only about there

concerned area.
 Misinterpreted as overt, deliberate

confrontation.
 Roles closed compartments, cross

department team management difficult

Communication Styles
 Truth and directness : sign of respect not
rude
 Misinterpreted as arrogance
 Humour in business situations.
 Seriousness preferred
 The host is expected to pay for a business

lunch
Some important Points
 Woman gradually rising in business
 Analysis over hunches
 Long term planners
 Technical education prized
 Respect for authority, no public

contradictions
 Outburst of emotions not welcome
 Meetings formal
 Printed over spoken word
French Business
Culture
 Time
 Arriving for business appointments 10-15 minutes after the
scheduled time is not considered late and is therefore
acceptable in France.
 Deadlines are open to negotiation.

Structure and hierarchy

 There exists a strong, vertical hierarchy in business. French
bosses generally take a dictatorial and authoritative
approach.
 Only the highest individual in authority can make the final
decision.
 Working relationships
 Respecting privacy is particularly important when
working in France hence definite distinction need to be
maintained between business and personal life.
 Relationships must be formed first before business
can begin.

Appearance
 Dress conservative and invest in well-tailored clothing.
 Patterned fabrics and dark colours are most acceptable,
but avoid bright colours.
 Women should avoid bright or gaudy colours and
overpowering objects such as flashy jewellery.
 Business etiquette
DO’s
 DO maintain a constant air of formality
and reserve during all business practices
and at all levels within the business, using
titles wherever possible.
 DO make direct but moderate eye contact
with your French business colleagues.
 DO try to learn a few basic French
phrases and use them whenever
possible.
 The French have a great respect for
privacy. Knock and wait before entering
into a room.   Additionally, do not "drop
in" unannounced. Always give notice
before your arrival.
 DO shake hands when meeting someone,
as well as when leaving.  French
handshakes are not as firm as in the
United States.
 Business etiquette
DON’T
 DON’T discuss your family or other

personal matters during negotiations.

 DON’T be put off by frequent differences

in opinion and rigorous debate during

business negotiations. The French will
appreciate your ability to defend your
position.
 DON’T rush or display signs of

impatience with your French counterparts.

The French take their time before arriving
at a decision.
 DON”T make gestures of a circle with their

pointer finger and thumb indicates "

nothing"," worthless”, or " zero“ while that
in America indicates “OK” sign and in India
it means beautiful. So they must be
avoided.
China
Features:
 Business relationship becomes a personal one
 Addressing someone by their designation
 Due respect to rank, even in seating

arrangements
China
DONTs
Taiwan’s Independence
Praising the Japanese
Praising Shanghai in front of Beijing
Natives & vice versa
Refusing a drink
Fighting over the bill
Tips for the Global Manager
to bridge
Cross-Cultural differences
 Verify your offshore partner’s understanding
of Indian culture & communication style
 Learn to recognize these differences
 Address cross-cultural “noise”