International Business Etiquette
When working in the global commercial environment, knowledge of the impact of
cultural differences is one of the keys to international business success. Regardless of the
sector in which you operate – finance, technology, or computers and consumer
electronics –global cultural differences will directly impact on you and the profitability of
your business. Improving levels of cultural awareness can help companies build
international competencies and enable individuals to become more globally sensitive
Your committee is in charge of planning and coordinating a 4 day business trip for
visiting businesspersons from another country. These are important days, as good
relationship building could lead to a tremendous increase in sales exports for your
company.
Your committee is in charge of training the rest of the employees on the customs,
traditions and business etiquette important to their native country. You are also in charge
of planning their trip to provide social and business experiences that will build their
respect for our company due to our respect for their customs.
Products:
Itinerary
You are in charge of developing a detailed itinerary from the time they land at the
Moline airport till the time they depart the Moline airport for their flight back home.
General itinerary:
Day one – guest arrive late afternoon from home country
Day two – business meetings during the day; social meetings at night
Day three - business meetings during the day; social meetings at night
Day four – guest depart for home late morning
Include detailed plans for transportation, lodging, meals, social/nighttime activities,
recreational opportunities, etc….
Plan on 4 visitors. Describe the demographics of your visitors (gender, age) – you
choose. Be sure to plan an itinerary that matches your visitors demographics.
In your presentation you will describe your business, the visitors business and how your 2
businesses may work together. In your itinerary, be sure to include “business” meetings
and functions that are appropriate as well.
Top Tips cheat sheet
The cheat sheet will be given to the rest of the employees at your company to utilize
when our visitors arrive. It should contain a summary of the most important customs,
traditions, and etiquette items that employees need to remember when interacting with
people from your foreign country.
This can be formatted as a 1-page handout, brochure, etc…; but it should be produced in
a professional, easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide.
Presentation/training
Your committee will be conducting a training program for the rest of the employees in
the company (your classmates). Your goal is to train the rest of the company on the
customs, traditions, and etiquette of your foreign country. Not only will these
businesspersons be visiting you, but you and others from your business will be traveling
to their country soon. Your goal is to engage the rest of the employees in learning and
utilize as many senses as possible. Here is an outline of the potential methods you could
utilize to engage your audience. See Rubric for more details.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Presentation – PowerPoint, Prezi, etc…
Video – embedded in presentation or stand-alone
Photos - embedded in presentation or stand-alone
Music/language - embedded in presentation or stand-alone
Venn Diagram Chart (compare and contrast)
Demonstrations – ex. Greetings, personal space, etc…
Food/Dress – sample of typical food from that country or typical clothing
Native guest speaker (in person, skype, recorded)
Assessment
Create an assessment worth 10 points that will be given to the rest of the employees after
your presentation to assess how much they learned from your training.
Potential Research Topics
General Information:
People
General attitudes
Gestures
Housing
Allies
Holidays
Transportation
Flag
Language
Personal Appearance
Eating
Dating and Marriage
Recreation
Government
Education
Famous People
Religion
Greetings
Family
Life Cycle
The Arts
Economy
Health
Map-location
Business Etiquette, Manners and Customs
Meeting Etiquette
Dining Etiquette
Business meeting etiquette
Names
Non-verbal communication
Eye contact
Dress
Titles
Negotiations
Gift giving
Communication style
Personal space & touching
Gestures
Taboos
Socializing
Table manners
Introductions
Time
Business Cards
Greetings
Gender issues
Law and order
US Relations
Overview
Major areas of cooperation
Trade and Economic Relations
Important statistics and demographics –
Graphs/Charts/tables – comparison to US (and others)
Capital
Leaders
Currency
Population/Age
Economy
Literacy
Underweight children
Mortality rates
Life expectancy
Doctors
Energy
Potential Resources
Culture gram – AEA - www.iowaaeaonline.org
 Central HS: login 1082cenhs password: mbaea9
Embassy website
Government website
Country Profiles – global guide to culture, customs and etiquette
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/country-profiles.html
International Business Etiquette, Manners, and Culture
http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/
World Business Cultures
http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/
Ask an Expert? Do business abroad. http://www.culturecrossing.net/ask_an_expert.php
Connect w/Community
http://www.culturecrossing.net/connect_comm.php
Culture Crossing – Community Guide
http://www.culturecrossing.net/index.php
Tentative Timeline
11/26 – Introduction, Form Groups, Committee/Group planning “how-to”, Choose your
country, Begin developing a Plan of Action chart, Start Research
11/28 – Continue Research, Plan of Action (POA) Chart due
11/30 – Continue Research, Product Development, POA progress report due end of day
12/4 – Product Development (potential guest speaker-45 minutes)
12/6 – Product Development, Presentation Planning
12/10 – Finalize Product Development, POA progress report due end of day
12/12 – (early dismissal) – Final preparations and practice for presentations, ALL
“products” due end of the day
12/14 – Presentations Groups 1-3
12/18 – Presentations Groups 4-6
Assessment
Itinerary
20%
Top Tips cheat sheet
10%
Presentation/Training
50%
Assessment
Group evaluation
5%
15%