Cultural Characteristics Affecting Business Interactions in Brazil - Assignment Example

? Culture and Business Project Cultural Characteristics Affecting That May Affect Business Interactions in Brazil Globalization has led to new methods of conducting business while developing relationships based on trading. International trade and business creates a new way in which people from different cultures, backgrounds, and geographical locations can transact business. However, the differences in culture can be a serious impediment to successful business transactions. In this regard, misconstruing a culture can lead to a collapse of the negotiations during a transaction, which is a failure in business. Nevertheless, business people over the world know that the underlying factor to successful business is communication and knowledge of the differences in cultures, which affect transaction of business. Despite Brazil being one of the countries experiencing a high economic growth, the existing cultural differences may affect business interactions in this country. As earlier indicated, communication is the most important thing in effective transaction of business. In this regard, there are striking differences between in the communication styles. According to the Centre for Intercultural Learning (2009), “Brazilians tend to get close to each other when a conversation is taking place, no matter what the relationship is between them.” In Western culture, there is a tendency to create a less social distance especially with strangers. In effect, we may experience such differences, which the Brazilians may misconstrue as unfriendly. In addition, the average distance between two people having a conversation in Brazil is around 30 or 40 cm (Centre for Intercultural Learning, 2009). However, only close friends will exhibit such a distance in most cultures. Nevertheless, it is important for an individual to appear relaxed and friendly when having a conversation since they may talk to an individual while touching them now and then. Such cultural behavior in Brazil is the expectation, which in the Western world is akin to sexual harassment in some cases. In business, modest dressing is one of the major characteristics in our society. In effect, the way of dressing in the Brazilian business setup is similar. However, the way Brazilians address each other in business is informal. In this regard, Brazilians will only use the titles during the introductions stage. Effectively, they will keep referring to each other in their first name during the rest of the conversation following the introduction, which is different from our business culture (Centre for Intercultural Learning, 2009). In this case, Western business culture dictates that we should refer to our colleagues in their titles. In fact, some business cultures will not allow us to address our supervisors at work in their first name, which is unheard off. However, this is the norm rather than the exception amongst the Brazilians. In effect, acquainting oneself with this distinct cultural factor will help an individual realize that Brazilians is not a sign of disrespect but a culture. According to Global Edge (n.d.), Brazilians behavior in meetings appears to be unstructured and natural. In effect, they may appear to lack objectivity while negotiating a business transaction. Therefore, this can negatively affect a business transaction since one can perceive the other party as not interested. In addition, the unstructured behavior may result to deviation from the objectives that the meeting set to attain. In addition, there might be instances in which a Brazilian may bring in personal information during a business conversation. However, it is the culture of Brazilians to talk openly to their partners in business as they seek to form a relationship for successful business. In effect, understanding such differences is crucial for successful business transactions. We all realize the importance of maintaining a proper eye contact while communicating in a business transaction. In fact, our business culture requires that we maintain proper eye contact in order to establish sincerity and interest in a conversation. However, this practice and business culture may appear as disrespectful in some parts of Brazil, more so in the rural areas. In this regard, a section of the Brazilian community may appear indifference by failing to maintain an eye contact. To this group, maintaining an eye contact to them is staring, which is disrespect (Centre for Intercultural Learning, 2009). Finally, gestures are a crucial part of communicating in a business transaction since communication does not only entail verbal communication but also encompasses other aspects. In effect, it is crucial to note that contrasting gestures have different interpretations amongst different communities over the world. In this regard, some gestures may seem right in our culture but turn out to be obscene in other cultures. Therefore, it is crucial to identify different meanings of different gestures in different cultures. Case in point, the “OK” sign, formed by the thumb and the index finger in North America, is an obscene gesture in Brazil (Centre for Intercultural Learning, 2005). Therefore, knowledge of this difference will ensure that individuals do not use the gesture and thus appear to be obscene, which may lead to a failure of a business transaction. In conclusion, it is obvious that there are many cultural differences, which may influence the outcome of a business transaction. However, knowledge of such differences is crucial to ensure that a business transaction succeeds. It is also crucial to point out that, communication is the key aspect to any business transaction. Thus, observing the differences in the communication style in different cultures is crucial to achieve goals and objectives in a business transaction. Project 2: Tips for Business Etiquettes in Japan In the current global business environment, a proper knowledge and understanding of differences in different cultures is fundamental for success in the increasing competitive world. Despite the sector in which an individual operates - be it in consumer products, technology, finance, and many others – differences in culture will always influence significant aspects in a business. One such aspect in which culture has a major influence on is business etiquettes. In this regard, improving an individual’s awareness in the differences amongst culture is crucial to find the essential tips for business etiquettes in the culture. In this regard, this expose elucidates five tips regarding business etiquette in South Korea that can be crucial for success in business once implemented. According to Global Edge (n.d.), South Koreans seek to determine the status of an individual by asking some questions, which might be about an individual’s private life. Such questions include questions related to an individual’s age, their family life, their education level, religious life, and salaries. In the Western world, these questions are the exception and very rare. In this regard, the culture of the South Koreans directs that individuals should seek to know these common denominators in order for them to create rapport and conduct business effectively. In effect, an individual should not view these questions as an enquiry into their personal life. However, they should answer these questions with tact and politely so as not to avoid appearing as uncouth during the transaction of business. Greetings in South Korea take a different approach from the normal greetings in some cultures. In this regard, men in South Korea generally greet each other with a slight bow, and may extend a hand to accompany the bow (Global Edge, n.d.). Therefore, this tip is important for business etiquette in order for an individual to show respect for the South Korean Culture. In this regard, bowing is an expression of respect and honor for each other. In effect, business transactions will be effective since the two parties show mutual respect. However, it is crucial to point that the elderly are the first people an individual should greet in a meeting (Global Edge, n.d.). This is different from the Western culture whereby an individual will greet everyone equally in a meeting regardless of his or her age. According to Global Edge (n.d.), the South Koreans perceive feet to be dirty and should not touch other people or any other object. However, this may seem to be inconsequential in the Western world. In addition, the South Koreans always ask men to ensure that they always kept the soles of their shoes down (Global Edge, n.d.). Again, such an issue appears to be inconsequential in the Western world, but it is of significance importance in the South Korean culture. In effect, it is crucial to respect their culture when transacting business with the South Koreans and ensure that an individual’s behavior during a meeting was not offensive. Furthermore, the South Korean culture considers crossing of legs in front of a senior person during a meeting held in an open sitting as disrespect (Global Edge, n.d.). Therefore, it is crucial to consider these three factors during a meeting as an important tip for meetings etiquette in business. The South Koreans regard “less as more” during any negotiation for a business transaction (Global Edge, n.d.). In this regard, an individual from another culture should always exercise precision, conciseness, and directness while giving answers on questions asked. In this case, this business etiquette tip is crucial to individuals transacting business in South Korea since the culture dictates a direct approach in transacting business. Therefore, individuals who take note of this tip will provide short and precise answers that will ensure that they achieved their objectives while transacting business. Finally, gifts are the conventional in the South Korean culture. In this case, Koreans will expect or give gifts, and in return get favors or to establish a lasting relationship (Global Edge, n.d.). However, it is essential for individuals to observe a few fundamental factors while giving any gift to a Korean. The first of these factors to consider while giving gifts to the South Koreans is the thoughtfulness in the gift given. In this regard, the South Koreans expect you to give a gift that they will be able to reciprocate (Global Edge, n.d.). In addition, the Koreans value the origin of a gift while considering gifts from an individual’s country of origin. However, South Koreans rarely accept gifts from underdeveloped countries unless they are relics. On the other hand, South Koreans do not accept gifts from Japan, which colonized the Koreans. In conclusion, it is evident that different cultures influence business etiquettes. However, in the current world powered by the economic knowledge, it is crucial to gain the necessary knowledge required to transact business in different settings and environments. As the foregoing clearly elucidates, some cultural beliefs and practices amongst the Koreans influence business etiquette. Nevertheless, the tips provided will be fundamental while transacting business with the South Koreans since an individual will understand the expected behavior. References Centre for Intercultural Learning. (2009). Country Information – Brazil. Retrieved from http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=br#cn-1 Global Edge. (n.d.). South Korea: Culture. Retrieved from http://globaledge.msu.edu/Countries/South-Korea/culture Read More