Communication Across Cultures

Communication Across Cultures Presentation

Socially Responsible Business

1. Based off the video watched in class Monday, compare and contrast the system in the United States that allows more freedom of choice with regards to employment compared to the environment that exists in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.

Discuss the role family, education, wages, hours, and working conditions play while comparing to the US.

In the United States, people looking for jobs have a lot more freedom of choice when choosing a place to work at, a lot more than that which exists in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. In the United States, there are federal laws that companies have to follow in regards to laws relating to working conditions. Companies are required to give all employees certain rights in the workplace that companies in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China are not required to. This results in terrible working conditions for people in those countries since there are no standards. So people in the United States have the freedom of knowing that wherever they choose to work they will be treated with dignity and given many rights that those in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China do not get.

There are many factors that play a factor when choosing a workplace, some of which include family, education, wages, hours, and working conditions. In the United States, the education of a person is related to the type of job a person gets because if you are very highly educated, then you will probably get a better job than someone who is uneducated. People also consider the hours they will be working, what they will be getting paid and what the conditions of the workplace will be like. For the most part, other than wages and hours which greatly vary from job to job, the conditions of the workplace in the United States are usually relatively good because there are laws in the US that make it so places need to have good conditions. But there are no federal laws regulating good conditions in the work places in countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan and China so the working conditions there are bad and so are the wages because they usually do not get paid minimum wage. They work long hours for not a lot of money in terrible conditions, all because most of them are not educated but they still need a job because they need money to provide for their families.

2. Explain the correlation between worker happiness and productivity. Use two specific examples in your explanation.

There is a significant correlation between worker happiness and productivity. If workers are working in good and humane conditions, then they will be happier and will be more willing to put in the effort necessary to make more products. For example, if workers are given an ample amount of breaks throughout the day to eat, then they will be happy because they will be nourished and they will have energy from the food so they will work harder and the create more products. Also, for another example, if workers only have to work 8 hours a day then they will be very happy because then they will be able to go to sleep earlier and get the sleep they need to function and so the next day they will be happy and well-rested so they will be very productive.

3. Find a company that operates globally and does it successfully and humanely! Give the name of the company and the reason you chose this company. Include a reference of where you found your information.

TOMS is a company that operates globally and does it successfully and humanely. I chose this company because I knew it and I like and use their products, shoes, and I like their whole mission. TOMS has a mission that every time a pair of their shoes is bought, they donate a pair of shoes to a child in need who does not have any shoes, they also sell sunglasses and other merchandise. TOMS provide shoes, sight, water, safe birth and bully prevention services to people in need.

International Business Blunders

International Business Blunders Presentation

Business Etiquette in Other Countries

1. What is a Handshake?

Japan:

• Meet
• Bow
• Don't make eye contact
• Back straight and hands by side
• Longer bow = more respect
• Depart
• Bow again when you leave
• Accept a gift
•  Gifts may be presented during a meeting. Not mandatory for you or your host, but it always makes for a nice gesture. 
• When receiving a gift, make sure that you show your appreciation and thank everyone who was involved in its presentation. 
• If the gift is wrapped you should wait until you leave to open it.
• Share business cards
• business cards are a "must have"
• given out at every meeting
• Don't put someone's card in your pocket in front of them after receiving it

Germany: http://businessculture.org/western-europe/business-culture-in-germany/meeting-etiquette-in-germany/

• Meet
• Firm but quick handshake
• Say "hello"
• Be polite and hospitable --> Small talk is generally not used
• Depart
• Handshake
• Accept a gift
• Say thank you when gift is received
• Send a thank you note after the meeting
• Share business cards
• Exchange business cards

Poland: http://businessculture.org/eastern-europe/poland/business-etiquette/

• Meet
• Firm handshake
• Direct eye contact
• Polish men sometimes kiss a woman on the hand to show respect
• Punctuality
• Punctuality is expected and taken very seriously.
• People in higher positions might arrive late to a meeting, in order to demonstrate their status and importance within the company hierarchy.
• Accept a Gift
• It's expected that gifts will be given at the initial business meeting and upon the conclusion of any business arrangement, such as when a contract is signed.
• Gifts are usually opened immediately and shouldn't be too expensive.
• Eye Contact
• Always maintain eye contact while speaking, otherwise is disrespectful

Sweden: http://businessculture.org/northern-europe/sweden/meeting-etiquette/

• Meet
• handshakes are the accepted form of greeting and make eye contact
• handshakes are brief and firm between men, but lighter between a man and woman
• Depart
• firm handshake and direct eye contact
• Accept a Gift
• in business dealings, gifts are rarely given at the beginning of a relationship
• however, it is appropriate when you are closing your transaction
• Share Business Cards
• business cards are usually exchanged when meeting for the first time

Theme Park Assignment

Theme Park Assignment

TWN

TWN

Countries researched for theme parks and currency and exchange rate:

1. Hong Kong

- 1 Hong Kong Dollar = 0.13 US Dollar

- 1 ticket = HK $539= USD $69.48

2. Germany

- 1 Euro = 1.12 US Dollar

- 1 ticket = €44.50 = $49.67

3. Denmark

- 1 Danish Krone = 0.15 US Dollar

- 1 ticket = 110 DKK = $16.50