Everything you say. Everything you do. Religious, Culture and Business Awareness in UK and Europe 12/1/2015. Just two things to be aware of

Transcription

1 Religious, Culture and Business Awareness in UK and Europe Struan Mackenzie Partner, Global Mobility, Buzzacott LLP Kimberly Bradshaw Managing Director, Buzzacott HR Consultancy Just two things to be aware of Everything you say Everything you do 1

2 Everything you say????? Everything you do????? 2

3 Things Europeans hate A few helpful hints 3

4 In the business world Thank you Thank you for sharing in my experiences with me Thank you also to my colleague Kimberly Bradshaw who provided me with much of the material which stimulated my presentation Kimberly has great experience in helping companies manage and deliver successful HR policies to optimise international assignments through cultural awareness 4

5 Contact Struan Mackenzie E mackenzies@buzzacott.co.uk T Kimberly Bradshaw E bradshawk@buzzacott.co.uk T Visit our website: CHINESE CULTURE AND BUSINESS 5

6 ABOUT CHINA: CULTURE & BUSINESS Understanding of truth and time Shame and not guilt Key cultural differences Value of engagement and contract Fuzzy logic S.J. GRAND Financial and Tax Advisory 5 ABOUT CHINA: CULTURE & BUSINESS Corruption Do not be fatalistic Set up clear procedures and adequate controls Domestic practices do not apply to us (FCPA) Reporting issues Cultural issue with truth Clear guidelines Frequent control by local third-parties Fraud Culture of fraud? Training Benchmarking Multi-lingual culturally relevant tools S.J. GRAND Financial and Tax Advisory 4 6

7 ABOUT CHINA: CULTURE & BUSINESS Business success in China goes through imposing: Your logic Your reporting Your understanding of responsibility Your fact-based truth This means: Breaking down processes into small steps Not allowing staff to stray off procedures Using multi-lingual systems Having instant reporting S.J. GRAND Financial and Tax Advisory 4 CONTACT US Stephane J GRAND, Managing Partner E: sjgrand@sjgrand.cn T: (21) / (10 ) BEIJING Suite 2304, e-tower, 12 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing T +86 (10) beijing@sjgrand.cn HONG KONG 21/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central- Hong Kong T hongkong@sjgrand.cn SHANGHAI 1807 Haitong Securities Tower, 689 Guangdong Lu, Shanghai T +86 (21) shanghai@sjgrand.cn SHENZHEN Suite 8, 51st Floor, Excellence Times Plaza Building, 4068 Yi Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen T +86 (755) shenzhen@sjgrand.cn Contact us info@sjgrand.cn Follow us 7

8 CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN EAST AFRICA OR ANY FOREIGN LAND Agenda Know the facts Understand political climate Know laws of land How to talk sensitive issues Don t underestimate the business culture of a foreign land Develop cultural intelligence Relationships matter Make an EXIT PLAN Is the juice worth the squeeze? 16 8

9 Know the Facts To understand the thing, you must first understand the first thing Know where you are be prepared Utilize Embassy in DC Network with diaspora Department of State Website Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield leads the Department of State s Bureau of African Affairs 17 Letter from Ambassador Githae Embassy of the Republic of Kenya to the U.S. Letter forthcoming 18 9

10 Understand Political Climate History of Independence Religions Tensions tribal, political Border countries instability, tensions 19 Know Laws of the Land It is not wisdom but Authority that makes the law - Thomas Hobbes Trusted LOCAL advisors accountants, attorneys Local bank relationship Foreign Corrupt Practices Act U.S. citizens are forbidden from making payoffs to foreign country officials to assist or retain business 20 10

11 How to talk sensitive issues Separate News from Noise Insecurity v. Terrorism Alternatively Governed v. Failed State Emerging Economies v. Third World Countries Isolated Al-Shabaab Incidents v. Hotbed of Terror Tribalism v. Tribe Coalitions and Alliances Muslims v. Christians v. Extremists Transparency v. Corruption 21 Don t underestimate the business culture of a foreign land Many emerging countries in Africa operate with professional and international business standards Highly educated, well traveled, multilingual professionals leading initiatives Language inefficiencies don t mean stupid Patience and respect 22 11

12 Develop Cultural Intelligence Cross cultural business communications Customary introductions Food religious requirements, how to eat Name pronunciation just try Cultural personal space Appropriate dress Punctuality Acronyms s more formality Mistakes Appear to be keen to learn cultural nuances and let people know you respect their culture 23 Relationships matter Build trust, confidence and respect Develop trusted relationships with locals Recognize expectation of community development Develop relationships to improve objectives Country Embassy in U.S. US Embassy in Foreign land Trade & Investment organizations: Corporate Council on Africa Business Council for International Understanding World Affairs Council Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations Council on Foreign Relations U.S. Dept. of Commerce Customary payoffs v. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 24 12

13 Make an EXIT PLAN Create a strategy on the front end Ready to cash out Need to get out Changes in market Political instability environment Health or safety U.S. Government action Know the laws and the business community Repatriating money Selling stock Selling assets Dissolving Tax implications 25 Is the juice worth the squeeze? The Global Economy is changing the world Emerging markets are exciting with tremendous growth opportunities 26 13