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If your partner is Chinese… Dear Network, If you are working with Chinese companies there is something you should know about business communication in this country. Why? Because Chinese business communication is characterized by certain features that are deeply rooted in China's cultural, social, and historical context. Understanding these features is crucial for anyone who wants to do business in China or with Chinese partners. Let's discuss some of them. I’ll start with Guanxi (关系). Generally speaking, this term covers a range of socially significant concepts, such as "connections," "relationships," "contacts," "patronage," "mutual assistance," and "support." In fact, such things exist nearly in every country, and local people usually have either special names for them, like Vitamin B in Germany or sayings such as "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours” in a number of countries. Sometimes, we manage to solve certain problems in life because we can turn to the right person, and we say in such cases, "It was done through connections" or "through a favor." In Chinese society it is more about creating a network of relationships and contacts that can lead to the exchange of connections or services that are beneficial to both parties. In a sense, “Guanxi” obliges friends, relatives, and sometimes business colleagues to help each other. Interestingly, the term “Guanxi” in Chinese means "attraction" or "power" that a person possesses due to their relationships and networks, thus playing a significant role in business interactions. “Guanxi” often refers to "networking," and good “Guanxi” can sometimes be necessary to create opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. “Guanxi” also implies a network of obligations and debts that must be repaid by offering help and fulfilling requests for others. What is the role of connections in your culture? How can you develop your own network? Let’s discuss and share ideas.

Dear friends and colleagues, please have a look at my U.S. American communication style mind map. What do you think?

My “strange” colleagues Dear Network, A friend of mine once said: “I have many colleagues. And they are so strange”. My reaction was: “They are not strange. They are different”. And maybe, just maybe these differences come from the people’s cultural backgrounds when they bring their peculiarities to the table. The obvious thing that unites people at work is a common work activity, be it a project, assignment, function, or operation. Let’s have a look at different approaches to completing tasks. For example, you have a colleague with an Indian background. This colleague would: a) value such things as relationships and trust already at the beginning of any project. The team will be more productive if its members have a “feel” towards each other. This “feel” comes from personal contacts including meetings outside work when people discuss personal problems; b) seek consensus with the other team members, disagreements (especially open) may lead to conflicts that should be avoided; c) value face-to-face communication rather than emailing, chatting or texting; d) prefer the top-down approach expecting direct instructions from the boss, be it team lead or project manager, on how to do this or that task; e) always be ready to use the “Jugaad” method which may be termed as some kind of mindset in the Indian environment. Simply speaking it means ‘do something out of nothing’, ‘think of a life hack’. Be resourceful and creative! f) probably be time flexible because the Indian concept of time is different from the Western approach. Time can be stretched and even molded. More “strange” colleagues will be described in my next post.

https://www.e-xecutive.ru/community/magazine/1997444-kak-vesti-svetskuu-besedu-na-vostoke-i-na-zapade

Small talk in the West_Examples Dear Network, As promised, here are my examples: United Kingdom - a fairly short (about 10 minutes) friendly conversation on neutral topics. Humor is almost obligatory, including jokes about yourself. Being reserved both in the words and expressions used and in the display of emotion. Very limited body language. Excessive directness in statements and any superlatives in conversation are discouraged. Taboo topics: religion; politics; immigration; income, wages, sources of income; nursing homes. United States - a short and easy conversation (5 to 15 minutes). Looks like an exchange of questions and answers. No long speeches or discussions are expected. Small talk - an important element in the negotiation process or as part of a business meeting- meant to melt the "ice" in communication and set the stage for later discussion of business topics. Emotional reactions to a joke or statement, laughter, smiles, loud speech, active body language, and gestures - all of this distinguishes small talk in this culture. Taboo topics: religion; politics; politically incorrect statements; personal questions (age, marital status, health, salary). Germany - a short, fairly formal conversation (about 5 minutes) before discussing the main business topic of the meeting. Germans are likely to opt for a direct and frank conversation. It is also very important for them to give the impression of a polite and well-mannered person. And at the same time a serious and reliable partner. No excessive gesticulation, broad gestures, or emotional statements. Taboo topics: politics; World War II; Holocaust; family and personal (private) life issues. Sweden - a short conversation on neutral topics (no more than 5 minutes). It is treated more as a necessary ritual in business communication. A discreet and rather formal exchange of questions and answers. Humor, jokes, sharp topics, long speeches - leave all this out of the small talk, especially if you are just starting to build a business relationship with a Swedish partner. Taboo topics: religion; politics; family and everything that relates to private life; the tax system.