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Business in the_usa

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The document provides an overview of business culture in the USA. It discusses the scientific approach Americans take to business, with constant analysis and assessment of processes. This leads to an environment of constant change and employee mobility. Meetings are aggressive with direct confrontation and debate valued over diplomacy. Presentations are an opportunity to impress. Teams are temporary and focused on goals, with enthusiasm and commitment expected. Communication is also direct and to the point. Dress codes vary widely by region.

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Background To Business in The USA The USA More than any other industrialised country, the United States has adopted what could be labelled a 'scientific' approach to business. Every aspect of commercial life is studied and analysed and this scientific approach is both respected and acted upon. Far more resource is available in the US for the study of the methodology of business than in any other country and most new management theory and doctrines have their origins in the States. In the States everything is quantified and assessed. All processes, even down to such issues as HR and Training are analysed in a detailed manner and the results of this analysis carry weight with decision makers. This 'scientific' approach - the constant search for better, more effective methods - has led to a business environment typified by the presence of change as a constant factor. The most common response to a changing environment is realignment of the organisation and this, in turn, has produced a work force in a state of constant flux. People leave, are fired or made redundant and then reappear in another organisation. This sense of employee mobility should not, however, be equated with a lack of loyalty to the employer for whom you are currently working. Whilst working for the company you put everything into the job and are totally committed. American Meetings When asked to describe meetings in the USA, a word which Americans often use is 'aggressive'. This 'confrontational' approach, (where openly and directly debating all the relevant issues even at
the expense of personal relationships is valued, ) is very alien to those cultures who always put diplomacy and harmony at the heart of their approach to meetings. Of course, many cultures mistakenly see this direct approach between colleagues as a sign of bitter, personal animosity which it always invariably is not. It is endemic to the American approach to communication in meetings and is seen as a positive step towards addressing whatever the vital and pressing issues might be. Time pressured, ambitious American business executives do not have time for the vagueness, diplomacy and lack of focus which they perceive as typifying meeting situations in such diverse cultures as the UK and Japan. Meetings often include formal presentations by one or more of the participants and these presentations are a vital element in the demonstration of professional competence. Thus, presentations should not only be relevant and well researched but also delivered in a positive, enthusiastic and committed manner. The meeting and especially one in which a presentation has to be made, is seen as an opportunity to impress important if personal success is to be achieved. American Teams In the States, teams are groups of individuals brought together for the moment to complete a given task or project. During the period that the group is together, everybody is expected to be fully committed to the common goals and to work with dedication and purpose to ensure that those goals are achieved. It is important to show enthusiasm for the project and to show belief in the ultimate achievement of the objectives. cynicism is not really appreciated or understood.
When the project is complete, the team will rapidly dissipate, its members moving on the next task with equanimity. To break up a team in the fluid employment environment of the USA is less traumatic than in other group-oriented cultures where identity is subsumed to the group. In the States, teams are expected to be transitory in nature. American Communication Styles Communication styles in business in the States are determined by many of the approaches to business we have already described above. The desire to debate issues directly and openly leads Americans to be seen by some cultures as aggressive and even rude. Coded speech and verbosity is often seen as time wasting and in time pressured corporate USA, that is a crime. Thus, when an impasse is reached in meeting situations, the reaction is often to address it directly and 但with feeling.但 This direct, robust debate can often be viewed by more harmony seeking cultures as signalling the breakdown of meaningful discussions and as the signal to try to abandon the interaction - whereas in the States it is seen positively and as a sign of definite progress. Paradoxically, on first introductions, American can seem very friendly, polite and solicitous of your well being which seems to be at odds with the verbal behaviour exhibited half an hour later in the meeting. This overt friendliness (Have nice day!, Hi, how are you doing? etc.) should be taken for what it is part of the protocol of the language and not as an attempt at establishing a life long friendship. Although coded speech and over-verbosity are frowned upon, the latest 但management speak但 is often to the fore in business dealings which can make Americans sound extremely jargonistic almost to the point of obscuring the real message.
Americans are much more open in conversation about private affairs than many European cultures and the converse of this is that Americans will often, quite naively, ask very personal questions at an early stage in a relationship which may be perceived by some people as intrusive. (但What do youmake?) American Dress Code Describing dress codes for men travelling on business in the States can be a risky business. It is far more difficult to generalise on this subject than for just about any other major industrialised nation. Dress will vary from the formal, dark business suit, shirt and tie to literally T-shirt and shorts. One general dictum could be that the further West you are doing business, the more likely you are to encounter informal dress in business - but this is not always the case. The best advice would always be to check before departure with others who have visited your particular destination - failing that, take a variety of types of clothes to meet all eventualities. Dress code for women is as varied as that for men and the above advice would hold true. The USA Top Tips on usa Business Culture Tip 1 Americans value straight talking and 'getting to the point'. Tip 2
Respect is earned through conspicuous achievement rather than through age or background. Tip 3 Self-deprecation is often misunderstood by Americans as a sign of weakness. Sell your plus points. Tip 4 Humour is frequently used in business situations but is unlikely to be appreciated when matters become very tense. Tip 5 Remember that time is money in the States - wasting people's time through vagueness is lack of a sense of purpose which will not produce good results. Tip 6 Compromise is often sought - at the brink. This can often equate to the end of a quarter or financial year. Tip 7 Do not be offended by seemingly overly personal questions. Tip 8 Dress code in the States is very variable - check on the appropriate mode before departure.
Tip 9 Short-termism is endemic. Structure proposals to emphasise quick wins rather than long-term objectives (although these should also be included.) Tip 10 You may encounter an 'American is best' view to doing things - be prepared to counter this with quantitative and qualitative counter- arguments. Tip 11 Many Americans never leave the States. Be prepared for a parochially American view of the world. Tip 12 Enthusiasm is endemic in business. Join in. Do not exhibit a jaundiced, 'old world' approach as this will be interpreted as defeatist. Tip 13 New is good. Change is ever present in American corporate life and therefore so is the easy acceptance of new ideas, new models etc. Tip 14 Gift giving is unusual in the States and many companies have policies to restrict or forbid the acceptance of presents.
Tip 15 Americans tend to work longer hours and take fewer days of vacation than their European counterparts. Tip 16 Try to be punctual for meetings - if you are late apologise. Tip 17 Despite the seeming lack of hierarchy within an American organisation, the boss is the boss and is expected to make decisions and is held accountable for those decisions. Tip 18 Americans often socialise with work colleagues outside the office - and this often includes the family. Tip 19 Titles are an unreliable guide to relative importance within an organisation due to their proliferation. Tip 20 Business is a serious thing in the States and it is important that you are seen to be serious in your intent and commitment.

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Business in the_usa

  • 1. Background To Business in The USA The USA More than any other industrialised country, the United States has adopted what could be labelled a 'scientific' approach to business. Every aspect of commercial life is studied and analysed and this scientific approach is both respected and acted upon. Far more resource is available in the US for the study of the methodology of business than in any other country and most new management theory and doctrines have their origins in the States. In the States everything is quantified and assessed. All processes, even down to such issues as HR and Training are analysed in a detailed manner and the results of this analysis carry weight with decision makers. This 'scientific' approach - the constant search for better, more effective methods - has led to a business environment typified by the presence of change as a constant factor. The most common response to a changing environment is realignment of the organisation and this, in turn, has produced a work force in a state of constant flux. People leave, are fired or made redundant and then reappear in another organisation. This sense of employee mobility should not, however, be equated with a lack of loyalty to the employer for whom you are currently working. Whilst working for the company you put everything into the job and are totally committed. American Meetings When asked to describe meetings in the USA, a word which Americans often use is 'aggressive'. This 'confrontational' approach, (where openly and directly debating all the relevant issues even at
  • 2. the expense of personal relationships is valued, ) is very alien to those cultures who always put diplomacy and harmony at the heart of their approach to meetings. Of course, many cultures mistakenly see this direct approach between colleagues as a sign of bitter, personal animosity which it always invariably is not. It is endemic to the American approach to communication in meetings and is seen as a positive step towards addressing whatever the vital and pressing issues might be. Time pressured, ambitious American business executives do not have time for the vagueness, diplomacy and lack of focus which they perceive as typifying meeting situations in such diverse cultures as the UK and Japan. Meetings often include formal presentations by one or more of the participants and these presentations are a vital element in the demonstration of professional competence. Thus, presentations should not only be relevant and well researched but also delivered in a positive, enthusiastic and committed manner. The meeting and especially one in which a presentation has to be made, is seen as an opportunity to impress important if personal success is to be achieved. American Teams In the States, teams are groups of individuals brought together for the moment to complete a given task or project. During the period that the group is together, everybody is expected to be fully committed to the common goals and to work with dedication and purpose to ensure that those goals are achieved. It is important to show enthusiasm for the project and to show belief in the ultimate achievement of the objectives. cynicism is not really appreciated or understood.
  • 3. When the project is complete, the team will rapidly dissipate, its members moving on the next task with equanimity. To break up a team in the fluid employment environment of the USA is less traumatic than in other group-oriented cultures where identity is subsumed to the group. In the States, teams are expected to be transitory in nature. American Communication Styles Communication styles in business in the States are determined by many of the approaches to business we have already described above. The desire to debate issues directly and openly leads Americans to be seen by some cultures as aggressive and even rude. Coded speech and verbosity is often seen as time wasting and in time pressured corporate USA, that is a crime. Thus, when an impasse is reached in meeting situations, the reaction is often to address it directly and 但with feeling.但 This direct, robust debate can often be viewed by more harmony seeking cultures as signalling the breakdown of meaningful discussions and as the signal to try to abandon the interaction - whereas in the States it is seen positively and as a sign of definite progress. Paradoxically, on first introductions, American can seem very friendly, polite and solicitous of your well being which seems to be at odds with the verbal behaviour exhibited half an hour later in the meeting. This overt friendliness (Have nice day!, Hi, how are you doing? etc.) should be taken for what it is part of the protocol of the language and not as an attempt at establishing a life long friendship. Although coded speech and over-verbosity are frowned upon, the latest 但management speak但 is often to the fore in business dealings which can make Americans sound extremely jargonistic almost to the point of obscuring the real message.
  • 4. Americans are much more open in conversation about private affairs than many European cultures and the converse of this is that Americans will often, quite naively, ask very personal questions at an early stage in a relationship which may be perceived by some people as intrusive. (但What do youmake?) American Dress Code Describing dress codes for men travelling on business in the States can be a risky business. It is far more difficult to generalise on this subject than for just about any other major industrialised nation. Dress will vary from the formal, dark business suit, shirt and tie to literally T-shirt and shorts. One general dictum could be that the further West you are doing business, the more likely you are to encounter informal dress in business - but this is not always the case. The best advice would always be to check before departure with others who have visited your particular destination - failing that, take a variety of types of clothes to meet all eventualities. Dress code for women is as varied as that for men and the above advice would hold true. The USA Top Tips on usa Business Culture Tip 1 Americans value straight talking and 'getting to the point'. Tip 2
  • 5. Respect is earned through conspicuous achievement rather than through age or background. Tip 3 Self-deprecation is often misunderstood by Americans as a sign of weakness. Sell your plus points. Tip 4 Humour is frequently used in business situations but is unlikely to be appreciated when matters become very tense. Tip 5 Remember that time is money in the States - wasting people's time through vagueness is lack of a sense of purpose which will not produce good results. Tip 6 Compromise is often sought - at the brink. This can often equate to the end of a quarter or financial year. Tip 7 Do not be offended by seemingly overly personal questions. Tip 8 Dress code in the States is very variable - check on the appropriate mode before departure.
  • 6. Tip 9 Short-termism is endemic. Structure proposals to emphasise quick wins rather than long-term objectives (although these should also be included.) Tip 10 You may encounter an 'American is best' view to doing things - be prepared to counter this with quantitative and qualitative counter- arguments. Tip 11 Many Americans never leave the States. Be prepared for a parochially American view of the world. Tip 12 Enthusiasm is endemic in business. Join in. Do not exhibit a jaundiced, 'old world' approach as this will be interpreted as defeatist. Tip 13 New is good. Change is ever present in American corporate life and therefore so is the easy acceptance of new ideas, new models etc. Tip 14 Gift giving is unusual in the States and many companies have policies to restrict or forbid the acceptance of presents.
  • 7. Tip 15 Americans tend to work longer hours and take fewer days of vacation than their European counterparts. Tip 16 Try to be punctual for meetings - if you are late apologise. Tip 17 Despite the seeming lack of hierarchy within an American organisation, the boss is the boss and is expected to make decisions and is held accountable for those decisions. Tip 18 Americans often socialise with work colleagues outside the office - and this often includes the family. Tip 19 Titles are an unreliable guide to relative importance within an organisation due to their proliferation. Tip 20 Business is a serious thing in the States and it is important that you are seen to be serious in your intent and commitment.