Crossing the Dateline: Japan, China, India

Overview/Description
 If you were to attend a business meeting in Japan and find all of the Japanese sitting side by side at a table staring at a spot on the wall, would you think that strange? In Japan, maintaining eye contact during conversation is considered to be rude. Once you recover from your initial culture shock, you'll notice other customs that might seem very odd to you, but not at all odd to them. In Crossing the Dateline: Japan, China, India, you'll uncover the mysteries of Asian culture. While some elements of culture are common to all Asian countries, some are not. After being introduced to the common cultural elements, you'll tour the cultures and business practices of two powerhouses in the global market; namely, Japan and China. Asian culture is vastly different from American business culture. If fact, even the calmest, most easygoing American businessperson will be viewed as brash, bulldozing, and disrespectful by the gentle, reflective Asian. This course will help prepare you for cultural understanding that is an essential factor in successful business negotiations with your Asian counterparts.

Target Audience
 International business travelers, managers, directors, project managers, project team managers, and other personnel conducting business with other cultures

Expected Duration
2.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Asian Cultural Roots

  • recognize the importance of developing an understanding of East Asian culture.
  • identify traits representing reactive Asian cultures.
  • select characteristics of Asian communication patterns.
  • choose the factors that most Asians have in common.

    • Asian Comparisons

  • recognize the benefits of developing an understanding of ways in which Asian countries differ from one another.
  • choose the factors that represent differences among Asian countries.
  • select facts about Indian culture.
  • identify guidelines for getting along with Asian people.

    • Japan

  • recognize the benefits of developing a cultural understanding of Japanese people.
  • identify cultural characteristics of the Japanese people.
  • select tips for getting along with Japanese people.
  • choose tips for conducting business in Japan.

    • China

  • recognize the benefits of developing a cultural understanding of Chinese people.
  • identify cultural traits of the Chinese people.
  • select tips for public behavior in China.
  • choose tips for conducting business in China.

    • Course Number: COMM0605