Doing business across cultures requires a certain understanding in order to be successful. Whereas we can learn about other cultures in order to prepare ourselves, to be successful often comes down not only to our cross-cultural skills, but also to how we can adapt and relate to others. I always reiterate when coaching on cross-cultural interactions that whereas certain practices may be characteristic of the majority of a population, it is important that we not rely on created stereotypes, but instead try to understand from where another person is coming in terms of socialization, education, economic background, even personality. In turn our own responses should be situational, not stereotypical.
For example, being Jamaican I often highlight our culture when discussing Hofstede’s cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance. Falling into the category of countries with a low uncertainty avoidance index (i.e. low stress, low anxiety), certainly it ties in well which the famous Jamaican phrase “no problem mon”. I am in fact quite comfortable giving that example since I’ve lived it. However, few who know me would actually characterize me in this way, especially when it comes to business.
And this brings me to a recent post entitled Cultural Knowledge is a Plus to Business Success. Written by a blogger based in Beijing, China, the post validates some recent tips and discussions out there on doing business in China. It also highlights how listing stereotyped cultural tips can be inadequate and misleading. As this blogger puts it when it comes to China:
The stereotyped cultural tips, however, could be very mis-leading when delivered in an over-generalized approach or taken with an over-simplified manner without better and live understanding of the specific situation. In terms of China, the speed of change, the scope of the land, the complexity of systems, the span of history, the diversity of local cultures, the varied levels of educational development in different localities, and the gaps in economic development among areas would all affect business developments and successes, either domestic or international.
This post and the example that I have given you about Jamaica tie into each other because in both instances you have a “native” on hand to validate the cultural overview, one usually given by someone from another culture “looking in”, with their own perspective. After all, this is the person who is living and working within the culture everyday; the person who is familiar with the elements that have shaped his or her fellow countryman.
