What a tough question! As I need to cover the span of the world here, and quite possibly, every culture out there, it is important that I go through many steps to make sure everyone is comfortable. Each continent is made up of several countries, which can then in turn, have many different cultures within themselves. So, the first thing I would do if I were the one holding the meeting, is find out the specific country that each person is from, if possible - not just the continent. This would help me avoid any misunderstandings easier and refrain from being accidentally offensive.
For example, Europe has many different elements that make up each country’s culture, so knowing if I were to be dealing with a Swede, a German, a Croatian or …show more content…
The only way I can think of how to do this would be to perhaps set different start times for the meeting. I am a planner, and a very punctual person, so the thought of different start times scares me a lot, but it might be the best plan in order to have all five people in the meeting room at the time I want them to be (perhaps aiming for a 15 minute greeting/buffer time), and it could result in less people being annoyed before the meeting actually kicks …show more content…
Nuances can be vast, so there is not going to be just one exact approach of knowing how to make everyone happy and comfortable in the meeting. I would check through the applicable guides, as shown by Kwintessential (2016), to refresh my knowledge on appropriate etiquette, customs and protol. Yes, it might take me some time to do, but it could make the difference between securing a deal or not, so I am the type that would choose to do it, even if it meant doing this during non-working hours. Furthermore, CDA Media (2013) have written some excellent guides on world business culture, which would also help me learn how other countries’ employees and management like to do business together, and more importantly – what they do not like.
If I have already met someone, worked with them or built up a good relationship with them, then I might even go as far as email them some personalized pointers, as to how I would prefer they interact with someone, especially if I thought they may be the total opposite in culture and customs to that other person. However, there is a fine line with this; I could probably only send such warnings/advice, if I were a little higher up than they were in business hierarchy. Although, warning someone in advance could make all the difference and avoid someone being heavily offended, so it may be worth
For example, Europe has many different elements that make up each country’s culture, so knowing if I were to be dealing with a Swede, a German, a Croatian or …show more content…
The only way I can think of how to do this would be to perhaps set different start times for the meeting. I am a planner, and a very punctual person, so the thought of different start times scares me a lot, but it might be the best plan in order to have all five people in the meeting room at the time I want them to be (perhaps aiming for a 15 minute greeting/buffer time), and it could result in less people being annoyed before the meeting actually kicks …show more content…
Nuances can be vast, so there is not going to be just one exact approach of knowing how to make everyone happy and comfortable in the meeting. I would check through the applicable guides, as shown by Kwintessential (2016), to refresh my knowledge on appropriate etiquette, customs and protol. Yes, it might take me some time to do, but it could make the difference between securing a deal or not, so I am the type that would choose to do it, even if it meant doing this during non-working hours. Furthermore, CDA Media (2013) have written some excellent guides on world business culture, which would also help me learn how other countries’ employees and management like to do business together, and more importantly – what they do not like.
If I have already met someone, worked with them or built up a good relationship with them, then I might even go as far as email them some personalized pointers, as to how I would prefer they interact with someone, especially if I thought they may be the total opposite in culture and customs to that other person. However, there is a fine line with this; I could probably only send such warnings/advice, if I were a little higher up than they were in business hierarchy. Although, warning someone in advance could make all the difference and avoid someone being heavily offended, so it may be worth