Israel, Canada, Brazil and Russia

ISRAEL

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The history of Israel is very closed with the religion and the biblical background where Israel and the Palestinian territories comprise the major part of the Holy Land, a region of significant importance to all Abrahamic religions: Jews, christians, Muslims and Baha'is; because Abraham promised this land to his inheritors.

It is also important to these religions because Jerusalem is the place where some important places for religion are located, such as the western wall and church of the holy sepulcre.

Other important cities are Nazareth (for Christians), Tiberias and Safed (two of the four holy cities for Judaism) and so on.

This country has two official languages, Hebrew is the primary language of the state and is spoken by the majority of the population, and Arabic is spoken by the Arab minority.

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Another characteristic of this country that evidences its religious influence is the kosher food, which is food prepared in accordance with the Jewish dietary law; because there are some animals forbidden to eat and others that must be slaughtered in a specific way to be considered Kosher.

Finally, a kibbutz is an agricultural Israeli commune characterized by the collective property, agricultural work; own work (owners of means of production and their own workforce), democratic decisions, Judaism and rotation of positions.

CANADA

This is a diversified country, with two official languages French and English and where most of the population is old and is the reason they are receiving young immigrants which bring more diversification to its culture.

In the organizational culture we can find they tend to create an energized and spirited workforce while at the same time valuing diversity and ethics. The organizational culture is their firm structure to build competitive advantage.

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Organizational behavior: giving importance to the employee as an individual, groups and the organization as a whole.  

It is important the employee motivation and perception of the organization; the employee receive motivation through different instruments stipulated by laws and organizations like labor laws, institutions and labor unions.

In groups leadership and good communication is a characteristic, jobs are specially designed to achieve continuous improvement and enjoy work, regarding culture companies try to align culture and build a corporate culture.

Within the organization due to the cultural difference in the country there are cultural changes to adapt employees to the corporate culture.  The organization is composed by a mix of human capital, leadership (the company invest in creating leaders), diversity management ( due to age, gender, racial and ethnic diversity) and constant change to improve constantly.

BRAZIL

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Management and communication style, and business structure:

subordinates do just what they are told to, so instructions must be clear and precise for them.

The organizations structures are hierarchical, the boss give precise instructions to subordinates, and in the same way decisions are made just by the top. The respect to the superior and the power of it depends on its personality and the relationship with it.

When doing business with brazil be aware of your sense of humor and  of speaking Spanish, it will be seen as  offensive. For Brazilians when doing business they prefer the oral than the written and when talking they use a lot of body language it could be exaggerated.

RUSSIA

Before talking about Russian business style and organization is important to take into account its history. Russia was part of the USSR and since its dissolution it has been living a lot of changes even today.

Today things are changing in a day top day basis so things are not true in every region. Another consequence of the Russian history is that citizens see the government as their enemy and they think laws are to be broken, so be aware when doing business with them, contracts are not important and has no force for them, they prefer to talk and make agreements in meetings where contracts and papers are not necessary; so to be sure of your agreements is necessary to build a good relationship with the correct person in the company.

The hierarchy in Russian companies is well marked, the correct person to do business with is the one in the top because is the one who make decisions and subordinates has no influence, they just follow instructions.

DOING BUSINESS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, GERMANY AND NEW ZEALAND

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Is one of the oil countries in the region, but today it has diversified its economy between tourism and businesses.

       

   Management style and organizational behavior:

• ·         Management style is mainly directive and paternalistic, the boss is equal to father and subordinate to children.
• ·         Subordinates are lack of initiative because when you do more than you are told you are disobeying your boss. For the same reason decisions made by the boss are not questioned.
• ·         Managers take decisions after discussing with the stake holders.

          Business protocol:

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During meetings punctuality is not common, dressing most be conservative especially for women who has a restricted role (men are in charge of important presentations and management). When meeting with someone older take into account age is synonym of respect and when closing agreements be careful that yes not always mean yes.

GERMANY

Is a key member of Europe’s economic, political and defense organization, because is one of the most populated countries and the largest economy.

          Management style and organizational behavior:

They are considered masters in planning, it provides sense of security and they consider there is a proper time for everything. They are very rigid and it is one of the reasons they have a great number of regulations and guidelines to conduct almost every aspect of business.

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Hierarchy is marked, managers give explicit directions to subordinates to be followed and subordinates most demonstrate respect to managers and supervisors.

Germans don’t adapt easily to changes in cultural and social aspects, when doing business with Germans you most adapt to their schedules.

NEW ZEALAND

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• ·         One characteristic of its management style is that it is egalitarian, all people in the organization plays an important role; therefore managers won’t loose respect if they consult other employees, employees are consulted about decisions that affect them.
• ·         Managers are task-oriented and they work with goals regarding productivity and profits and they expect employees do they job in a professional manner.
• ·         Their intercultural competence and readiness for change is high as it is their tolerance to risk.
• ·         Germans have optimistic and positive mindset.
• ·         Respect schedules and deadlines.

CHINESE AND JAPANESE BUSINESS CULTURE

Doing business with China

As it is with any other culture, when you are thinking on doing business with China you must know their country and what is more important, their culture to avoid misunderstanding.

The Chinese culture differs in many ways with the western; the following are some examples of their business culture and some differences with western:

·        When doing business with china time is not a concern, for them time is not related with money as it is for us.

·        In the western culture in business people always try to keep some information private while for Chinese it is necessary to give and receive all the information needed.

·        Chinese try to avoid the word “NO” they prefer to use other words as perhaps.

·        Meetings are very important and they must be lead by members in the highest positions within the company.

·        As meetings are important for Chinese, punctuality is important too and is a characteristic we don’t have especially in Colombia.

·        Chinese people appreciate presents but who give them must avoid white and black paper, shoes and watches.

·        When doing business with china take into account that you should avoid eye contact and understand that for them true is relative, they have a long time vision, yes doesn’t mean they agree, they are neutral and think in the collectivism; in all of this aspects they differ from western.

Doing business with Japan

Japan culture as the Chinese differs from western, and it is important to know and understand it before doing business.

For Japanese team-work and group cohesiveness is very important and is well marked within their society, in consequence when doing business with Japan they give importance to compromise and self-discipline in both sides.

On the other hand hierarchy is important and it implies respect, when doing business you should adapt your self and behave accordingly. Different aspects determines hierarchy, such as age, employment and some others.

In the Japanese culture bow is a very important way to show respect, is used to show gratitude, to express sympathy and as an apology; but the Japanese culture understand the difference among cultures and they also try to adapt to the other cultures they are doing business with, so they don’t expect the other part to bow during a meeting, with an handshake and a little move of the head is enough.

The exchange of business cards is kind of a ceremony; it represents the individual so it deserves respect. When introducing to Japanese is important to give your full name, company name and title, positions is important, and when exchanging the business card try to have it on one side translated.