Do’s and Don’ts for American Businesswomen in India

We get used to the culture of the country that we are brought up in. So long as we don’t have to deal with people from different countries we never give a thought to the concept ‘Cultural Differences’. It is always beneficial to understand the culture of the country where you intend to do business.

‘Indian culture’ can take an American by surprise at all stands. For instance, the perception of ‘Time’ to an Indian differs considerably from what it means to a westerner. India is a vast country and hence one should not be surprised to note that cultural differences vary from region to region, state to state, and Men to Women. Hence a smart American Business woman will research about Indian culture before arriving at this Land of Cultural Diversity.

There is no denying the fact that women in India have made a considerable progress in the last fifty years and treated with a high degree of respect. A business woman greets an associate in India with folded hands – a gesture popular as Namaste. Women are expected to dress conservatively- usually in saree, Formal Pants and Suits, Salwar-Kameez. Such a dress code will get you an instant acceptance and help to avoid upsetting experiences.

While using the first name is not common in business circle, seniors and superiors are addressed formally and with respect. Although Indians are known for hospitality; one should not expect to be entertained at home at the very first instance. Among the other significant business etiquette, giving or receiving using the ‘Left-hand’ will be considered offensive by an Indian.

I am sure that reading this small article would have taken you by surprise. You will certainly agree with me that a little preparation before your Indian business trip, or for that matter, to any foreign country, will save you the expected ‘Culture Shock’!

Is Now a Good Time to Consider a Venture in the US?

I wrote this as an introduction for 16 Vital Questions, A Primer for Indians Traveling in the U.S. ICFAI Books will be publishing this book soon as a guide for students and interns from India planning a sojourn into the U.S. for work or school.

But I thought it would be particularly relevant to the group here as well since we talk about multicultural issues and the interdependence of our economies!


Introduction –Is Now a Good Time to Consider a Venture in the US?

Mr. Muralidaran, the General Manager at ICFAI Books, wrote me a question last night that gave me pause.

In view of the recent happenings in the US (financial crisis, recession in the economy, job cuts, and the presidential elections) I was wondering whether you would like to make some modifications to your book.

My first thought was that I didn’t want to change or add anything.

The information in the book is as complete as we can make it, barring the usual volatility of situations. Everything is still true and correct. The opportunities in the U.S. are always changing, but there are always excellent opportunities here for bright, ambitious people.

But then I started thinking about all of the parents that will read this book as they consider educational and professional opportunities for their children. My son Michael (we call him Mickey) just moved into the dorms and started as a freshman at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, which is about six hours by car from where we live. As a parent, this still seems like it’s a very long way away. If the best opportunity for his particular desires and ambitions had been literally halfway around the world, I would have had some trepidation. I would want to know everything I could find out about the place he would be spending time. These decisions bear careful consideration and what we’ve been reading and hearing in the news is enough to make anyone second-guess a good decision.

I decided that 16 Vital Questions can’t be published without some mention of the unprecedented activity of the last three to six months.

Economics and politics work in cycles, like the weather. We know that every year there will be winters and summers, as well as some unpredictable “storms.”

Economics – The cycles of the stock market are well known. Recent banking failures give us all pause. These organizations made bad financial decisions and, although there is disagreement among Americans about whether government (taxpayer) money should be used to sustain and repair them; the decision for better or worse has been made and we will find out how things progress.

The long-term implications are unknown, but history tells us that the United States has a very resilient economy. This may be the “winter” part of the economic cycle. There is lots of discussion about how long or cold the “winter” may be where the next storms might happen, but no one doubts that there will be a recovery. The very size, diversity and complexity of the U.S. economy create new opportunities out of every failure. If stockholders who held shares during the Great Depression of the 1920s (the worst financial crisis in our history) had simply held on to their stocks for one or two years, their holdings would have come back to their previous value.

The Financial Times of London reports today (11/18/2008)

Economists believe that the US has been in recession since April and will remain there until the middle of 2009, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

This is actually excellent news for anyone planning an education or venture in the US. Prices for housing, fuel and food are lower than usual at the moment; and as the economy improves, (as it certainly will in the next one to three years) there will be more opportunities in that follow.

It’s not a bad time to begin a career in the US, if one can find a solid opportunity in a growth industry in some parts of the US. Unemployment is higher than usual at the moment, and it may be prudent to look very carefully at the finance and heavy manufacturing industries until we know more about how events will play out in the next few months. But there are industries that are doing very well.

Two examples of heavy manufacturing depend a great deal on a variation of product and region - The automotive industry in Detroit Michigan is laying people off, but the Cessna small airplane factory in Independence Kansas has not even slowed down.

Good opportunities can be found if you research variations within an industry and look in different parts of the country.


Politics – Barack Obama’s election has created excitement among young people all over the world.

Last night, (11/17/2008) my blogging buddy Rajani Paniker from Bangalore posted this on the Ravenwerks Blog:

The Chancery Pavilion at Bangalore witnessed Obama’s supporters eagerly waiting for the latest U.S. Presidential election updates. When the final results were telecast on the television, a loud cheer was heard and people were found hugging and congratulating each other. . . .

Events here in the US impact India much more than they did several years ago, and events in India are watched from the United States with much greater interest as we find our companies, economies, friendships and families more interconnected than ever before.

Conclusion -

I look forward to an era of continued cooperation, collaboration and prosperity between the U.S. and India. In four years, when my son Mickey graduates from college, I expect that we will be back to the “summer” part of the cycle yet again. If you, or your loved ones are able to make a trip, I hope that the cycles of economics and politics work in your favor. I am sure that traveling and commerce brings us better understanding, prosperity and friendship.

Warm regards and best wishes in your endeavors and travels,

-Paula Williams
www.ravenwerks.com
Transcending Boundaries

Election of Barack Obama and Bangalore

Barack Obama led the Democrats to a sweeping victory in the U.S. President elections recently. His victory was rejoiced in all parts of the world. As the world celebrated this historic victory, India was not far behind. Although the election was held at the United States, rallies by the Bangalore techies were conducted during weekends to induce awareness among people on the importance of Obama’s Victory. Obama supporters from India were found Texting, calling up, emailing friends and relatives in the U.S. to cast their vote for him.

The Chancery Pavillion at Bangalore witnessed Obama’s supporters eagerly waiting for the latest U.S. Presidential election updates. When the final results were telecast on the television, a loud cheer was heard and people were found hugging and congratulating each other at the Chancery Pavillion. The Barack Obama Bangalore Fan club has nominated volunteers to attend his oath taking ceremony to be conducted on Jan 20^th of 2009 and have decided to donate $4, 100 to his election fund. Along with the World, Bangalore rejoices Obama’s Victory in the hope of better global economic and political stability.

Business trip to Bangalore - A must

With globalization there is increasing importance on the etiquettes and nuances of international business. Bangalore has companies from across the globe and most people have worked in organizations based in several countries. They carry with them experience of varied work cultures and organizations. In addition work cultures in India are often the result of parent company work culture and Indian influence. An American business woman can immensely benefit from such exposure and acquire knowledge on a work culture that has evolved from the parent but is an amalgamation of the parent and the location.

Being the software capital of India, Bangalore has had a constant influx of business travelers. The inhabitants of the city are habituated to western business travelers and welcome them in their midst. An American businesswoman will be welcomed with a warm, friendly and helpful attitude by the people of Bangalore. The software culture has spread a patina of professionalism in Bangalore which comes through as a pleasant surprise. An American businesswoman will instantly fall in love with the garden city of India.

Bangalore has been the melting pot of different cultures and has been a cosmopolitan society. In addition to being the software capital Bangalore also offers several tourist attractions within easy reach for a busy businesswoman on travel. There are tourist attractions to suit all interests ranging from history, culture, beaches and nature. A quick weekend getaway is an incentive for every business traveler, Bangalore with its comfortable moderate climate and numerous tourist attractions offers the perfect opportunity for a weekend holiday during a business trip. Bangalore offers compulsive shop-aholics and food lovers the perfect blend of shops and restaurants.

The Misplaced Arrogance of Some Foreigners

My friend Ange "the cactus" has pointed out one HUGE reason to do research before undertaking any international business travel or projects with multicultural teams. Sometimes misinformation can lead to some HUGE misunderstandings.

I cannot stress the danger of making assumptions enough!

http://thisbluemarble.blogspot.com/2008/11/misplaced-arrogance-of-some-foreigners.html

Sometimes, friends should be frank. Ange can always be counted on for that!

-Paula

Drama in the Family Business

I received this feedback on the Family Business - The Perils and Positives of Working with Family article, and thought I'd post it here in case any of our other very smart readers have good advice for this reader.

-Paula

I just have a question about family who gossip and cause drama at work. I have a family business and they are all family and all they want to do is talk bad about each other and then cause drama and my husband and i have to deal with it. What should i do? please let me know. I need help with this situation .

N.L.

Rule #6

Rule #6, according to Dr. Wayne Dyer, is to "Stop taking yourself so #$! seriously!"

Very good advice, especially in the midst of an economic downturn, an election that's turned pretty grim, and with the weather starting to turn nasty.

Halloween couldn't come at a better time!

I work at a small software company that really goes all out for Halloween. All 60 or so employees dressed up, many included skits and pranks and other shenanigans. It was a great opportunity to remind each other of Rule #6, and to remember that we really to like each other no matter how focused and crazy we've been lately.

This is me as the fun-loving Senator Sarah Palin extolling the virtues of gun ownership over barbecue at the company Halloween party. The button on my lapel says "Cuter than Joe Biden." :-)

(My costume is in no way intended to reflect my political views. In fact my friends would be surprised that I would be caught dead dressed as a Republican.)

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, and best wishes as we get into the crazy holiday season. And here's to Rule #6! We could all use a little more compliance.