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Praise for
ACCESS TO ASIA
"This handbook provides US Americans with detailed awareness of their own cultural habits of thinking and behavior and pinpoints those that they are most likely to meet in key Asian partners. Its extensive information, essential as a starting point for doing business together, serves as a compass for the reader, stimulating informed curiosity and questioning in real–life contexts."
Dr. George F. Simons, world–wide consultant, founder, author and editor–in–chief of diversophy® intercultural training games, France
"Unlike typical regional business guides, Access to Asia focuses on the deeper side of cultural understanding. It goes beyond rules and facts and helps the reader make sense of the often subtle, yet profound, cultural differences found in Asia something that′s critical for building successful relationships. Sharon Schweitzer understands that cultural understanding is not just a set of techniques to use, facts to learn, or rules to follow. By learning the cultural perspective of others, we explore the hidden parts of our cultural self. Access to Asia provides a great starting point for this profoundly satisfying journey."
Joseph Shaules, director, Japan Intercultural Institute, Author of The Intercultural Mind: Connecting Culture, Cognition and Global Living, Tokyo, Japan
"In a world of highly commoditized products and services, differentiation often comes in the form of human connection. At our core, we humans are remarkably similar. We all care about family, share anxieties, and aspire to greatness, although our definitions may vary. Our cultural norms and beliefs are the gateway to our hearts. Access to Asia is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the cultures of Asia. Sharon′s practical approach offers a fast track to insider status in some of the most exciting economies of our day. Culture does matter!"
Stig Nybo, President, U.S. Retirement Strategy, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, Award Winning Author of Transform Tomorrow: Awakening the Super Saver in Pursuit of Retirement Readiness, California, USA
Foreword xv
About the Authors xvii
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction xxi
A Journey of Passion xxii
From Etiquette to Intercultural Exchange xxii
A Questioning Framework xxiii
Why These Asian Countries? xxiii
How This Book Is Structured xxiv
Self–Awareness Profiles xxiv
Business Is Relationships xxv
From Theory to Practice xxv
Chapter 1 A Question of Culture 1
Why This? Why Now? 6
Who Are Americans ? 7
Chapter 2 Exploring Country Cultures 9
Thinking Is Not Universal 11
Relationships Are Dynamic 12
Chapter 3 United States of America 27
Introduction 28
Quiz 28
Country Basics 29
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 34
Eight–Question Framework 43
Cultural Summary 52
Self–Awareness Profile 52
The Journey Continues . . . 53
Chapter 4 Overview of Concepts and Terms 55
Chapter 5 China 67
Introduction 68
Quiz 69
Country Basics 69
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 75
Eight–Question Framework 84
Cultural Summary 93
Self–Awareness Profile 93
Chapter 6 Hong Kong 97
Introduction 98
Quiz 99
Country Basics 99
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 104
Eight–Question Framework 113
Cultural Summary 120
Self–Awareness Profile 121
Chapter 7 India 123
Introduction 124
Quiz 125
Country Basics 125
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 131
Eight–Question Framework 139
Cultural Summary 147
Self–Awareness Profile 147
Chapter 8 Japan 151
Introduction 152
Quiz 153
Country Basics 153
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 159
Eight–Question Framework 167
Cultural Summary 177
Self–Awareness Profile 177
Chapter 9 Malaysia 181
Introduction 182
Quiz 182
Country Basics 183
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 188
Eight–Question Framework 198
Cultural Summary 205
Self–Awareness Profile 206
Chapter 10 Myanmar 209
Introduction 210
Quiz 211
Country Basics 211
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 217
Eight–Question Framework 225
Cultural Summary 233
Self–Awareness Profile 233
Chapter 11 The Philippines 237
Introduction 238
Quiz 239
Country Basics 239
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 245
Eight–Question Framework 252
Cultural Summary 258
Self–Awareness Profile 259
Chapter 12 Singapore 261
Introduction 262
Quiz 262
Country Basics 263
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 269
Eight–Question Framework 276
Cultural Summary 282
Self–Awareness Profile 283
Chapter 13 South Korea 285
Introduction 286
Quiz 287
Country Basics 287
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 293
Eight–Question Framework 303
Cultural Summary 309
Self–Awareness Profile 310
Chapter 14 Taiwan 313
Introduction 314
Quiz 315
Country Basics 315
Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 321
Eight–Question Framework 329
Cultural Summary 336
Self–Awareness Profile 336
Chapter 15 Summary 339
Bibliography 343
Books 343
Online Resources 348
Contributors 351
Index 359
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Kirkus ∗starred review∗
This outstanding guidebook plies the cultural waters of Asia and offers insider tips for developing successful business relationships.
Intercultural consultant Schweitzer and consultant/author Alexander (# Thought Leadership Tweet, 2012, etc.) have crafted an invaluable reference guide that is comprehensive and fascinating. Using a consistent approach, the authors offer details about 10 countries, including a historical overview, the names of heroes and sports figures, foods, business protocols, etiquette for socializing, and more. Each chapter also has an ingenious self–awareness profile, a simple one–to–six scale so the reader can gauge the nuances of certain cultural aspects. The authors map the scale to the prevailing cultural preference ; in the case of doing business in Japan, for example, the cultural tendency is to be highly formal (six on the scale) rather than very informal (one on the scale). The ranking provides key intelligence to a businessperson in light of his or her own cultural bias. Interestingly, the authors begin with an overview of the United States of America, both to demonstrate the book s framework as it relates to the subsequent countries and to offer guidance to readers who might wish to do business in the USA. The remainder of the book covers China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. The insights offered could only be the result of a deep understanding of each country s cultural attributes, so to validate the content, the authors wisely called upon numerous country experts, who are acknowledged in the back of the book. Details both broad and specific paint a rich, unique picture of each country. Readers learn, for instance, that in China, decisions are made as a group rather than individually. In Japan, gifts (omiyage, or honorable presents) are a crucial element and expected on almost all business occasions. In the Philippines, personal hygiene is vital because Filipinos shower several times a day.
Beautifully constructed and expertly written in straightforward language; will make it far easier for anyone to navigate the cultural differences of doing business in Asia.
