Access to Asia. Waisfisz Bob

When Teams Collide: Managing the International Team Successfully and When Cultures Collide

      ACCESS to ASIA

      YOUR MULTICULTURAL GUIDE TO BUILDING TRUST, INSPIRING RESPECT, AND CREATING LONG-LASTING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

      SHARON SCHWEITZER, J.D.

      LIZ ALEXANDER, Ph.D.

      Cover Design: Wiley

      Cover Photograph: World Map © iStock.com/sorendls

      Copyright © 2015 by Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved

      Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

      Published simultaneously in Canada

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      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

      Schweitzer, Sharon

      Access to Asia: your multicultural guide to building trust, inspiring respect, and creating long-lasting business relationships / Sharon Schweitzer, Liz Alexander.

      pages cm

      Includes bibliographical references and index.

      ISBN 978-1-118-91901-9 (cloth); 978-1-118-91902-6 (epdf); 978-1-118-91904-0 (epub)

      1. Business etiquette–Asia. 2. Corporate culture–Asia. 3. Management–Asia. 4. Management–Cross-cultural studies. 5. Intercultural communication. I. Alexander, Liz. II. Title.

      HF5389.3.A78S39 2015

      395.5'2095–dc23

      2014039933

      Foreword

      As the Founder of itim International, which has been associated with the work of Professor Geert Hofstede for the past 30 years, we have long emphasized that when it comes to national cultural differences, culture only exists by comparison. We human beings have much in common, but we are also all unique. Culture, in this regard, describes the differences that exist between groups – be they nations, regions, or organizations.

      When visiting the 10 Asian countries showcased in this book, as a potential business partner, or business colleague, or because you've been seconded abroad for a longer period of time, Sharon Schweitzer's Access to Asia will be of considerable benefit. Adopt the advice offered within these pages and it will empower you as a global professional by helping you understand the breadth and depth of successful intercultural relationships.

      We are all busy people, often feeling that we have little time to focus on strategy when tactical matters are pressing. Sharon Schweitzer demonstrates that she understands this. Not only is Access to Asia packed full of information you may not have come across elsewhere, those nuggets are presented in a readily accessible way. Ms. Schweitzer comprehensively covers the building blocks needed in order to get a true sense of each of these 10 important Asian markets through the Country Basics sections. She has gone even further, however, by amassing considerable on-the-ground insights related to eight important questions.

      In many books covering the differences between values patterns of different cultures, many of the most important dos and don'ts are overlooked. This is not the case with Access to Asia, which is why I highly recommend this book to everybody who truly desires to build trust, inspire respect, and create long-lasting business relationships in this important region of the world.

Bob Waisfisz

Managing Partner of The Hofstede

Helsinki, Finland

      About the Authors

      Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is an international business consultant focusing on intercultural communication and global etiquette for future and current international leaders within Global 2000 companies. Her practice, during earlier years as an employment attorney, involved cultural dynamics and communication within groups and between individuals. Sharon is a popular radio and TV guest, conference speaker, and columnist. She consults throughout the U.S., as well as in Asia, Europe, and the U.K. Sharon's website is www.sharonschweitzer.com

      Liz Alexander, PhD, is the multiple award-winning author of 14 books, and co-founder of boutique consulting firm Leading Thought. She directs her gifts and passion to helping aspiring thought leaders harness strategically valuable, actionable insights to grow their businesses and boost revenue. Liz also acts as book strategist and consulting co-author to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and consultants worldwide. Please connect with her at [email protected].

      Acknowledgments

      The time I have spent writing and researching this book has been a personally fulfilling experience as well as a professionally beneficial one. Not least because of the rich, deep, wonderful relationships worldwide that I have been lucky enough to develop and will cherish for the rest of my life. Over 100 interviewees are mentioned individually in the Contributors section at the back of this book. While there is not sufficient space to mention all of you again here, please collectively accept my heartfelt thanks for so generously sharing your insights with us. This includes those of you who, because of professional or cultural constraints, did not wish to be named. Quite honestly, this book could not have been written without you!

      The same is true of the following people, each of whom have made significant contributions, if not directly to the content of this book, then certainly to my sanity.

      First, I would like to thank my consulting co-author Dr. Liz Alexander who has been a coach, mentor, friend, guiding light, and true pleasure throughout this journey. During our lifetimes we meet special spirits who touch our lives deeply, and Dr. Liz is one of those life-transforming gurus for me. I am forever indebted.

      I also remain extremely grateful to the support given by Cathy Hoover and Courtney Harris and the team at Regus.

      Thank you, Jerald Wrightsil, for your generosity of spirit in introducing