Usa Corporate

8/3/2019 Usa Corporate

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American Business Culture

The American Experience and ValueSystem

Personal Qualities

Communication

Protocol


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American Business Culture

Political Correctness

Employer-Employee Relations

Salary and Benefits

Socializing

Negotiations


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The American Experience

Searching for the American Dream

Dislike of centralized systems which limited

personal development The importance of success

Material success as a measure of personaldevelopment: U.S. consumer debt: $14 trillion

Success is individualindividualism vs.feudalism

The emphasis on initiative vs. govt intervention


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Positive aspects

Relatively limited governmentregulationpro business orientation

Favorable tax structure

Access to venture capitalpro risk

Can-do spirit which encouragesentrepreneurship

Huge consumption-oriented market


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Personal Qualities

Assertiveness

Loyalty

Team player--informative

Outgoingsociable & enthusiastic

Confidence Toughness

Drive & dedication


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Communication Style

Informal

First names and nick names

Joking and bantering (one-upsmanship)

Extrovert behaviour (highly respected)

Uncomfortable with silencethe Japanese

weapon Time is money--be brief

Conflict and confrontation accepted

Debate training in schools


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Protocol

Dress--formal in business, informalsocially

Time--punctual in business, 20 minuterule socially

Limited gift giving (Christmas)

Achievement based respect, notseniority

Not as rigid rules as Asia and perhaps

Europe


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Political Correctness

Conservative and distrust of socialdemocracy

Life is a jungle, creates initiative

Best not to tout the value of socialdemocracy

Harassment is the kiss of deathAvoid discussing politics

Labor relations--union membership is

frowned upon: Walmart


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Salaries and Benefits

Paid vacations--2-3 weeks

50 hour week not uncommon

Unpaid overtime for managers

Meritocracy, not seniority

Never ask about ones salary

Health insurance--must be negotiated

Most benefits must be negotiated--no

free lunch


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Socializing

Voluntary organizations are oftenmeeting places

Americans are joiners--Rotary Club, etc.

Gentleman sports--tennis, squash, golf,hunting, alpine skiing are meeting

places

Smoking is frowned upon

Expected to adapt to American values


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Negotiating

Tough negotiators

High/Low balling is common

Keep your bottom line a secretYour opponent will be looking for it

Americans may promise more than they

can deliverA result of high expectations

Hype is common


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Employer--Employee Relations

Short-term thinking

The quarterly report

The basis of fat bonuses for execs

Layoffs and firings

Increases stock value

Creates a loyalty dilemma No job security, no loyalty

Its a jungle out there

Informality does not mean concern


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E-E Relations Continued

Teamworking is important

Requires good communication skills and

information sharing

Bosses can be tough and demanding,but performance is rewarded

You must showcase yourself to bepromoted

Teamworking and competition for

promotion--a contradiction?


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Norwegians (Europeans?)Perception of Americans

Loud

NaveOptimism vs. skepticism?

Assertive/boastful

Open

Friendly Superficial

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