Difference at Work

In this chapter of the book, we learned about the many different ways you can develop international business behavior. In the study done in Columbia university school of business it shows that successful executives must have multi-environment and multinational experience to become CEOs in the 21^st century. The ability to compete in the global economy is the single greatest challenge facing business today. Learning the proper etiquette, manners and intercultural communication is all important when it comes to conducting business into another culture. Some might even say that intercultural communication is no longer an option, but a necessity. Important business decisions usually affect citizens of more than one nation. Global business continues to bring people closer together and expand rapidly, however the most important element to successful global business is the appreciation and respect for the regional, country and the cultural differences. 

The names of products can also be very crucial if an organization is wanting to expand into other nations, in the book we were given examples like Pepsi Cola’s “Come Alive with Pepsi” campaign, when it was translated for the Taiwanese market, conveyed the unsettling news that, “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.” 

“The Chevy Nova in Puerto Rico (no va means ‘doesn’t go’)”  

“A General Motors auto ad with “Body by Fisher” became “Corpse by Fisher” in Flemish.”

The is not only and American thing, but this also happened when a very successful European chocolate and fruit product was introduced into the U.S with the name of “Zit” imagine eating a something named Zit, so that is why it’s important to do you research before expanding your product to another region or country. 

Some ways you could show the appreciation for a nation in order to do business with them could be, understanding their cultural differences and what is appreciated in their workplace and what’s considered disrespectful, learning a few words in language spoken there or even going as far out as learning the basics of it, this could be the linguistic style, connect some of their cultural similarities with yours to connect more at a personal level with them, this can gain their trust for the organization too. Research about the nation, the history, the food, the way they live, what is most famous their(sports, actor, natural resources etc.) these are some of the ways that can help with building an organization globally, because lack of knowledge of another cultural can lead to embarrassment at the best and mistakes may confuse or even offend the people we as an organization wish to communicate with which can make business deals or international agreements difficult of impossible.