Global Business Perspectives

I attended a free Berlitz Japanese Cultural Learning Event yesterday.  I found the information to be very interesting.  Some of the subjects they discussed includes the following:

1.  Present and take business cards with both hands.  Absolutely never write on a Japanese business person’s business card.  Place business card on table or some other area of importance, not in your pocket and do not throw in your purse.  Treat their business card with respect – as if it was their diploma.  Translate one side of your card into Japanese, this will show respect.

2.  When greeting for the first time a hand shake or slight bow is acceptable.

3.  Be a good host – ask them if they would like to participate in an activity you like or offer suggestions of activities that are American or that your city is known for.  For example: baseball game, art museum, favorite restaurant, etc. 

4.  Do your research, look up current information on Japan and current events in Japan so that you have topics of conversation.

5.  Be ok with silence in your communication exchanges with the Japanese, this means the person is digesting your information and is thinking about what you have said.  Do not feel like you have to fill the silence with additional conversation.  Just being is ok! 

6.  In America, time = money.  In Japan, relationships = money.  Relationships take time to build so be patient.  It may take you a couple of years to create a strong bond.  Relationships in Japan are based on seniority.   Hierarchy is essential to how business seating arrangements for meetings and deals to take place.

7.  Learn a few basic phrases of Japanese – so that you can greet and be polite.

8.  Be careful using the number 4 in your marketing in Japan as the word for 4 sounds like death. 

9.  Be aware of the concept of “saving face” as this is essential when dealing with Japanese clients and staff.  Group harmony (or the appearance of) is very important to this collective culture. 

10.  Japan is a high context culture that says a lot with non verbal cues.  Americans tend to be more verbal due to their low context culture.

For additional information visit:

1.  http://www.cla.purdue.edu/fll/GBL/BackIssue/VOL2/Khan.pdf

2.  http://nagoya.usconsulate.gov/wwwhn-link.html

3.  http://www.jetro.org/content/530

4.  http://www.iterotext.com/japanese.htm