Topic: Global Networking
Growth in global business activity affects how employees and associates from different organizations and within the same organization network with each other. Use the internet to research how you might successfully network with peers in other countries. One networking site that may prove useful is LinkedIn. Another site that has career information is Monster. Monster has links to job sites in other countries. One site that offers information on the differences between cultures is ITIM International.
- For this discussion, look at a specific country of your choice. Develop two brief introductions, one for a U.S. peer, and one for a peer in another country of your choosing. How would you introduce yourself, what would you say in two sentences? How, or why, are the introductions different?
- Be specific about how your approach to networking might be different based on a specific culture. Pay special attention to any advice you find on what notto do when networking with people from different cultures.
- Make a note of two to three of the best ideas you find on the question, and report them here. How might you use them in your own networking?
Response each posted #1 to 3 below.
1. From: Wendy Vigil Zelaya posted Sep 7, 2018 10:49 PM
Hello class,
When conducting a business meeting it is very important to know the background of your investors, future partners or fellow associates because when you are aware of the cultural diversity and how to make an impression you can gain a lot of ground in the business arena. In the U.S. you would politely greet the other person by saying “Hello, How are you Mr. or Mrs.” and business is conducted in a fast pace environment people are known for being persistence. In Argentina, you greet with a warm welcome and introduction while maintaining eye contact, shaking hands is a must and titles among elderly is very important as well. Both countries have their business dress very conservative and you make an impression with the way you dress like dark suits and ties for men; white blouses and dark suits or skirts for woman although sometimes US can wear casual attire to less informal meetings. Argentinians tend to take the time when conducting business and may take a few meetings before saying “yes” but stay loyal when you gain their trust. For both countries it is important to be punctual and confirming meeting a week prior to date as it shows formality. You do not want to have conversations about religion or government related topics to avoid friction. It is best to stick to sports, culture, family and history. In order to avoid losing a good deal, it is best to learn from the other culture as you might even seem more knowledgeable with how you interact in a meeting.
2. From: Bhupinder Singh posted Sep 7, 2018 8:22 PM
I would greet fellow American by wishing them good morning/evening and shaking hands with them. The conversation can be extended by asking them how their travel or commute was to work. In India, the greeting for men will be same as U.S. but for women, it will be more like eye contact and greetings. I would approach individually nicely in professional manners and all the conversations should be direct to avoid confusion and to make sure the next person completely understands you. I would say the unnecessary jokes are not required until you get to know the person. It will be important to get a little more information about host country’s culture before the visit to avoid uncomfortable situations.
3. From: Traci Delp posted Sep 7, 2018 3:08 PM
Hello,
Culture differences influence how people would approach one another. If I were to meet a peer in the US, I would introduce myself differently than if the peer was in France. How people network, within specific cultures, may vary also. When navigating a global workforce, it is important that these differences are recognized and respected.
The etiquette in the US is more relaxed than in France where it is much more formal. I would introduce myself to an US peer in the following way “Hello, my name is Traci, how are you? I may be transferring over to your division shortly. If I were in France I would introduce myself in this way “Hello Madame/Monsieur my name is Traci, how are ‘vous’ doing? I am from the US, I am very interested in the position available, and would like to be considered for a transfer to your company. Then I would shake the hand of the peer, which is done almost every time you interact with this person. “The choice of whether to use the formal vous and informal tu to say ‘you’ in French can be confusing, and sometimes very subtle. But a simple rule is that the more intimate tu is only employed among family and friends” (Expatica2017). You would not use tuunless the peer used it first.
The way in which you network with your peers may be different as well. The initial networking in France would be kept formal. It would relax over time yet it would be still be much more formal than the US. Most women in France would kiss you on the cheek once they got to know you, as well as, the formal the handshake a regular basis. These are definite cultural differences between the US and France.
