Читай и обсуждай. Бизнес-курс английского языка. Учебное пособие

UNIT 5. INTERNATIONALBUSINESS STYLES

Lead-in

Task 1.Answer the following questions.

1.Why is cultural awareness important in business?

2.How can organisations prevent culture clashes and encourage the right behaviours?

Task 2. Paraphrase the following statement. Do you agree with it?

Why? Why not?

Doing business across culture can be an unpredictable affair.

Reading 1

Task 1. Skim the article. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose the most suitable sentences from the list (A–H) to fill each gap (1–8).

A.In France it remains the military general.

B.For Afghanistan managers, the concept of personal strength is very important, and any demonstration of ‘weaknesses’ is considered not good for business.

C.Therefore, in most cases, local culture plays an important role in management around the world.

D.Although such a paternalistic approach is very common at this part of the world, it can result in the lack of employees’initiative.

E.Among older generation of managers, after-effects are still evident, often resulting in a lack of drive and energy.

F.The Chinese manager is seen as a type of traditional father figure, and often functions autocratically.

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G.Therefore,thecorporateinfluencetomanagementstyleprevails over the influence of national culture.

H.If an employee publicly challenges a manager’s decision, it could result in the loss of the manager’s dignity and respect.

Task 2. Translate the article into Russian.

Cultural Influences on Management Style1

Different cultures may determine various management styles.You may,ormaynot,havenoticedbynowthatleadershipandmanagement style differs from country to country. There are of course many similarities in the way business is conducted, still cultural influence can be quite diverse. 1… For example, management styles valued in the Netherlands may be perceived as weak in Romania, where authoritative leadership prevails. Or, calling subordinates by their first names is seen as a gesture of friendliness in the United States, but will be considered rude or impolite in France or Germany. High level of punctuality of someone from the United States may seem “pushy” for someone from Latin countries. Still, the indifferent response to time by a Latin person can be wrongly interpreted as being lazy or unresponsive. And when it comes to actual planning of activities, in British firms, for example, the planning staff is often reduced when anticipating future events becomes more difficult, but Germans would rather increase their planning activities in such a case.

There are certain role models of managers in each country, mostly determined by the cultural characteristic of a nation. For example, in the United States the most readily available role model for the head of a company is the corporate CEO. In China, it is the head of the family. 2… In Japan, it is the consensus builder. In Germany, it is the coalition builder.

In post-communist countries, there are still some management aspects inherited from the previous era. 3… However, younger generations take a different approach, driven by western management style, open market economy and global industries.

1 https://www.moveoneinc.com/blog/relocations/culture-influences-management-

style/

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Globalization of the market, political changes, high level of mobility, and progress of technology, have influenced many changes in management styles in various cultures and nations. Many business leaders today share similar values and leadership styles, as the world becomes one unique market and business arena. Nevertheless, the following manager stereotypes are only to illustrate the pattern of conducting the business that originates from the culture of a certain nation.

Managers in Afghanistan are often rather paternalistic and their interest may extend outside of the workplace into the personal lives of their employees. 4… As for the Chinese management style, it tends towards the directive, with the senior managers providing instructions to their subordinates who pass on the instructions down the line. It is not expected, and would be considered disrespectful, for subordinates to question any of their superiors decision. 5… It is not common for a Chinese manager to compliment or chastise an employee publicly.

Management style in the UAE is rather directiveand paternalistic. Good managers in the UAE are those who give clear and direct instructionstotheiremployees.Accordingly,subordinatesareexpected to carry out the instructions given. Any lack of clear directorial management is considered as poor leadership. 6… Ukrainians tend to show great respect for age and status, which is represented by position or wealth. The management style in Ukraine may sometimes seem dictatorial or autocratic. Subordinates are expected to follow established procedures.

InIraq,whichisconsideredahierarchicalsociety,managersmostly have a paternalistic attitude to their employees. It is not rare that they show a concern for employees that goes beyond the workplace, such as involvement in their family, health, housing, or some other practical life matters.

In Russia, many businesses preserved a strong hierarchical structure. Russians tend to have a great respect to age, rank, and protocol. In general, Russian managers are often described as dictatorial and autocratic. 7… Economic transition in Slovakia

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has changed the business culture to certain extent. In businesses that preserved a strong hierarchical structure, managers mostly have an autocratic approach, and subordinates are expected to follow standard procedures. Nevertheless, in more entrepreneurial companies, individual initiative is valued more, and employees are actually expected to choose the best course of action by exploring all the opportunities that are offered, in accomplishing the work goals.

Hungarian management style highly depends on the corporate culture of specific companies. 8… Hungarian management style ranges from autocratic to democratic.

Nevertheless, management styles will also highly depend on education, corporate culture, economic development or available technology. The stereotypical management styles as described above may fade in time, as the global economy takes its full swing. The cross culture management style could become the ultimate approach for new professionals, as the world becomes one single business arena.

Task 3. Explain the meaning of the words and phrases in bold.

Task 4.Answer the questions.

1. How can different cultures determine various management styles?

2.Are certain role models of managers in each country determined by the cultural characteristic of a nation?

3.What influenced many changes in management styles in various cultures and nations?

4.How can you describe the Chinese management style (Management style in the UAE)?

5.WhatcanyoutellabouttheapproachtomanagementinUkraine, in Iraq, inAfghanistan and in Russia?

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Language Focus

Task 1. Complete the passage using the following words and phrases:

Asian cultures, business partners, business etiquette rules, abroad, differences,Westerncountries,career,pitfalls,greeting,personalspace

International Etiquette for Businesspeople1

As an expat, you need a basic understanding of the culture you are about to do business in or with. Not breaking any unwritten rules is no easy task and requires quite some preparation on your side. We have put together a small guide to help you get it right from the beginning!

First of all, there is no such thing as a comprehensive and universally valid set of 1…, as every country in the world has its own unwritten code. Below you can find some essential basic guidelines on social interaction in a multi-national business context that will help you avoid the 2… of international etiquette.

AvoidEmbarrassment.Eventinymistakesininternationaletiquette can have a negative effect on your career. They may be interpreted as a significant lack of manners and can put an abrupt end to your business 3…. To your business partners, you will appear uninformed or downright rude, and you might jeopardize your business deal if you do not take the time to research social customs beforehand.

Etiquette is no randomly assembled set of rules but has its firm grounding in the culture of the respective country. For example, if you are aware of the concept of “face” in many 4…, you will know what implications it has for business conduct: If you want to be respected by your Asian contacts, never “lose face” in front of them, and by all means avoid causing your potential business partners to “lose face”. This is how cultural awareness can help your 5….

PersonalSpace.Respectingotherpeople’s6…isacrucialaspectof internationaletiquette,eveninbusiness.Itisimportanttokeepinmind that there are significant 7… between cultures and between genders.

1 https://www.internations.org/magazine/international-etiquette-for-business people-15300

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Although it is almost impossible to go wrong with a handshake, it’s always a good idea to hold back when in doubt. By observing your environment closely, you will learn quickly where people draw the line between cordiality and intrusiveness. You need to learn not to cross that line.

You may notice that in some cultures men are very touchy-feely with each other. Hugs may be a regular way of 8… business partners and colleagues. However, for a man to greet female colleagues or contacts in the same way could be a huge faux pas.

Business Cards. In most 9…, business cards serve a purely informational purpose. It is acceptable to bend them, fold them, shove theminyourpocketorusethemtojotdownsomenotesoraprivatephone number. However, in other parts of the world, international etiquette dictates that business cards must be treated with the utmost respect.

As a general rule, try to treat everything, including business cards, you receive from your 10… with respect, no matter whether these items hold a lot of significance in your home country or not. It may seem trivial to you, but it can make or break a business deal.

Task 2. Translate into Russian.

1.As has been stated, management tends to be centralized and directive.

2.The boss — especially the ‘big boss’ — is expected to issue direct instructions for subordinates to follow.

3.Little consultation will be expected from people lower down the company hierarchy.

4.Indeed too much consultation from a senior manager could be seen as a sign of weakness and lack of decisiveness.

5.Middle managers have little power over strategy or input in significant strategic decisions.

6.The most powerful middle managers are the ones who have the mostimmediateentreetothedecision-makeratthetopoftheorganisation.

7.There is little point in wasting time debating with middle managers who do not have an easy access to the top.

8.The most significant reason for delay in reaching a decision in Russiaisthatthedecisionhasnotbeenputinfrontoftherealdecisionmaker.

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9. Delegation is usually in terms of managers giving precise instructions to subordinates who are expected to perform their allocated tasks with little or no discussion.

10.It is also important to take age into consideration — younger managers, who have developed in the post-Soviet era, may be much more heavily influenced by western management theory than their older counterparts.

11.Russian executives prefer to meet with people of similar rank and position.

12.The team leader is expected to play a main role and to give precise detailed instructions to staff.

13. Russians often expect detailed presentations including the history of the topic at hand and detailed analysis of the present situation.

14. Russia has a business culture and etiquette that differs significantly from much of what people are used to in other countries.

15. Many senior Russian businessmen are educated, diplomatic, speak English fluently, are clearly more punctual and task-oriented than their predecessors and share rather realistic and individualistic attitudes towards life.

Task 3. Translate into English.

1.Российская деловая культура и этикет отличаются от норм, принятых в других странах.

2.Российский стиль управления имеет ряд особенностей.

3.Многие бизнесмены старшего возраста обладают академическими знаниями ведения бизнеса, но имеют мало практических навыков.

4. Молодое поколение бизнесменов достаточно образовано, ориентировано на западные принципы ведения бизнеса.

5. Основное различие между современных российскими предпринимателями и их предшественниками состоит в использовании первыми западных стилей в управлении компаниями.

6.Россияне придерживаются строгой иерархии в управлении

ипредпочитают работать в команде.

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7.К официальным встречам не следует относиться с пренебрежением.

8.Менее формальные встречи часто проходят за закрытыми дверями.

9.Высшее руководство может высказать свое мнение по конкретному вопросу или же обратиться за мнениями других лиц.

10. Не следует тратить время, чтобы получить согласие от среднего и младшего управленческого звена.

11.Необходимо сразу обращаться к топ-менеджерам, если это возможно.

12.Наиболееважнымэлементомпереговоровявляетсядемонстрация знаний, профессионализма и компетентности.

13. Рукопожатие используется на деловых встречах при встрече и по окончании переговоров, в первую очередь среди мужчин.

14. Предприниматели придерживаются иерархии и в процессе ведения переговоров, когда только лидер команды говорит

ипринимает решения.

15.Ведение бизнеса, проведение встреч, принятие решений, ведение переговоров и знакомство друг с другом лучше удается во время ужина.

Skills Focus

Task1.Readthefollowinginformation.Whatarethemostpopular topics in Russia? What topics is necessary to avoid?

China1

It is important, during the course of the conversation, to be aware of the speech culture in China. Negative replies are considered impolite in China. Never say “no”. Instead, you can respond with “I’ll look into that”, ‘I’ll think about it’ or ‘maybe’ etc. You’ll find that the Chinese will do the same. When your Chinese counterparts smilingly and politely or even enthusiastically say ‘No big problem’

1 https://chinesepod.com/community/conversations/post/4597

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or ‘The problem is not serious’, they usually mean ‘There are still problems’.

If you are asked of intrusive questions concerning your age, income, and marital status and you don’t want to tell, also you’d better remain polite and give an unspecific answer. Don’t show anger to the questioner, since ‘losing face’ has such negative implications in this culture. Never inquire of your Chinese hosts’family except some questions like ‘How old is your child?’, ‘How long have you been in the work force?’ or ‘Where is your child studying?’ as a means of determining their marital status and age.

The question ‘Have you eaten?’ or ‘Where have you been?’ are mentioned in China as well as ‘How are you?’ in North America; it’s just a superficial inquiry that does not require a literal-minded, detailed answer. Simply answer, ‘yes’, even if you haven’t actually eaten or simply smile and say ‘thank you’.

It is a good idea to make an effort to learn and use a few words in Chinese; your initiative will be noticed and appreciated. Make sure you know the meaning and appropriate occasions for what you say.

You can make general inquiries about the health of another’s family, such as ‘are all in your family well?’During a meal, expressing fond of the food you are eating is a welcome, and usually expected topic of conversation. ‘Small talk’ is considered especially important at the beginning of a meeting; any of the topics suggested in the next set of points will be appropriate for this occasion.

Popular Topics

•Chinese scenery, landmarks

•weather, climate, and geography in China

•Chinese art, antique

•food, shopping etc. in China

•your travels in other countries

•your positive experiences traveling in China Topics toAvoid

•Refrain from using the terms such as ‘Red China’, ‘Mainland China’, and ‘Communist China’. Just say ‘China’.

•Never say «the Republic of China»; instead, at meetings, say «Taiwan».

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Task 2. Read the following statements about China. Make notes about Russia. Is the situation different in Russia?

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