Cross Culture Cross Culture

In Reference to Business Culture of In Reference to Business Culture of United Kingdom (UK)United Kingdom (UK)

CultureCulture

Dictionary Meaning of Culture - Dictionary Meaning of Culture - ““The total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge The total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge

which constitute of social action.”which constitute of social action.”

Culture is the “LENS” through which you view the world.Culture is the “LENS” through which you view the world. It is Center to what you see.It is Center to what you see. How you make sense of what you see.How you make sense of what you see. How you express yourself. How you express yourself.

Cross Culture CommunicationCross Culture Communication

Cross-cultural communicationCross-cultural communication is a field of  is a field of study that looks at how people from differing study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar

and different ways among themselves, and and different ways among themselves, and how they endeavour to communicate across how they endeavour to communicate across

cultures. cultures.

Business Culture in United Kingdom Business Culture in United Kingdom (UK)(UK)

Greetings and conversation Greetings and conversation

Making appointments Making appointments

Meetings Meetings

Written agreements Written agreements

Negotiation Negotiation

Personal information Personal information

Giving gifts Giving gifts

Employing family and friends Employing family and friends

Greetings and conversation Greetings and conversation

Hand Shake Hand Shake Polite Greeting Polite Greeting ““How do you do ?” How do you do ?” Less Formal – “How are you ?” – Reply to it is Less Formal – “How are you ?” – Reply to it is

“I’m fine, thank you and you?”“I’m fine, thank you and you?”

Making appointments Making appointments

Usually: Usually:

Meetings are normally arranged some days in advance. Meetings are normally arranged some days in advance.

Normal office working hours : 09:00 am to 17:00 pm. Normal office working hours : 09:00 am to 17:00 pm. Lunch Hour : 12:00 pm to 14:00 pm, need to check if it is OK to meet during Lunch Hour : 12:00 pm to 14:00 pm, need to check if it is OK to meet during

this time. this time.

Sometimes it may be preferred: Sometimes it may be preferred:

To have a working lunch (breakfast or dinner). Remember to be clear about To have a working lunch (breakfast or dinner). Remember to be clear about who is paying! who is paying!

To meet in the evenings or at the weekend if the way the business works To meet in the evenings or at the weekend if the way the business works requires it. requires it.

Meetings Meetings

Let the person you are meeting know if you are bringing somebody else Let the person you are meeting know if you are bringing somebody else with you, their name, role or interest in the issues. with you, their name, role or interest in the issues.

In the same way you can ask who else will be present. In the same way you can ask who else will be present.

Punctuality is very important. If you are going to be late, phone the person Punctuality is very important. If you are going to be late, phone the person you are meeting as soon as possible to let them know. Or, if you have to you are meeting as soon as possible to let them know. Or, if you have to cancel the meeting, apologize and arrange a new time. cancel the meeting, apologize and arrange a new time.

Minutes or notes of the meeting are a good idea to remind you of the Minutes or notes of the meeting are a good idea to remind you of the exchange of ideas or what was decided. exchange of ideas or what was decided.

Written agreementsWritten agreements

Verbal agreements do not guarantee something will Verbal agreements do not guarantee something will happen. happen.

Commitments should be signed with date and each Commitments should be signed with date and each party should keep a copy for their records. party should keep a copy for their records.

There is a lot of paperwork used in business in the There is a lot of paperwork used in business in the UK. Agreements are written down in the form of UK. Agreements are written down in the form of signed contracts or letters. These can be used in a signed contracts or letters. These can be used in a court of law. court of law.

Negotiation Negotiation

When negotiating a business agreement with a potential When negotiating a business agreement with a potential partner or client: partner or client:

Firstly understand the areas each of you need to agree on. Firstly understand the areas each of you need to agree on.

Do not be afraid to ask for an explanation on any point that is being Do not be afraid to ask for an explanation on any point that is being made, or of the words used. It is important you both understand exactly made, or of the words used. It is important you both understand exactly what is being discussed. what is being discussed.

If you do not reach a way forward in the first meeting, but may need to If you do not reach a way forward in the first meeting, but may need to agree to go away and think about ways around the problem and meet agree to go away and think about ways around the problem and meet again. again.

Personal information Personal information

Sensitive Issue – asking about personal Sensitive Issue – asking about personal informationinformation

It is advised not to ask about personal It is advised not to ask about personal information unless you need to for business or information unless you need to for business or if you know somebody well. if you know somebody well.

Data Protection Act, 1998 (Data Protection Act, 1998 (www.ico.gov.ukwww.ico.gov.uk))

Giving gifts Giving gifts

Basic law - Ensure gifts cannot be given to persuade somebody to do something Basic law - Ensure gifts cannot be given to persuade somebody to do something outside their normal job .outside their normal job .

Employees should not accept business gifts, except items of very small value such Employees should not accept business gifts, except items of very small value such as business diaries or calendars. as business diaries or calendars.

Employees should not accept or give hospitality which other people might think Employees should not accept or give hospitality which other people might think could influence a business decision. could influence a business decision.

Employees should record and report any gifts received or offers of hospitality Employees should record and report any gifts received or offers of hospitality made. made.

Seasonal Greeting Cards on Christmas to clients (Even if you are not a Christian)Seasonal Greeting Cards on Christmas to clients (Even if you are not a Christian)

Employing family and friendsEmploying family and friends

Employing family and friends is common in Employing family and friends is common in the UK. the UK.

Family and friends are covered by Family and friends are covered by employment law. employment law.

6 Rules for Thumb for Doing 6 Rules for Thumb for Doing Business across CulturesBusiness across Cultures

1. Be Prepared1. Be Prepared

2. Slow Down2. Slow Down

3. Establish Trust3. Establish Trust

4. Understand the Importance of Language4. Understand the Importance of Language

5. Respect the Culture5. Respect the Culture

6. Understand Components of Culture6. Understand Components of Culture

Words to RememberWords to Remember

““Let my house not be walled up on four Let my house not be walled up on four sides, let all the windows be open, let all sides, let all the windows be open, let all of the cultures blow in, but let no culture of the cultures blow in, but let no culture

blow me off my feet” blow me off my feet”

- Mahatma Ghandi- Mahatma Ghandi