In conducting international business is to be aware of cultural differences in how business is conducted in other countries.
One of the first things we should not overlook is that some cultures have a different definition for their standard work week.
Unfortunately, not so simple. The differences in standard work weeks vary.
There are two advantages for further reading:
- You can annoy potential customers by not respecting their standard working hours.
- You can get more value for adjusting the hour or day, or even the week you choose to communicate with their foreign customers.
Different Days Of The Week
Some countries do not have the same work week. Monday to Friday is common in English speaking countries.
In most Muslim countries the week legal work in the Middle East is not the same as many other countries.
- It is Saturday through Wednesday in Algeria and Saudi Arabia, so that your weekend is Thursday and Friday.
- It is Saturday through Thursday in Iran, so their weekend is Friday (however, many government offices and private businesses are closed on Thursdays)
- It is Sunday to Thursday in Egypt, Syria, United Arab Emirates so their weekend is Friday Saturday
Shorter Work Week
Fridays are always a good time to schedule conference calls international. In some countries traditionally used to work one hour or half day less on Fridays. The time difference between the participants can create negative feelings or low attendance.
The U.S. state of Utah, state employees began to follow a "TGIT" experiment earlier this year. As in: "Thank God It's Thursday."
In an experiment of one year to reduce energy costs and state Travelers' gasoline expenses, Utah is about to become the first state to switch to a four-day workweek for thousands of government employees.
Will be 10-hours a day, Monday through Thursday and Friday, freeing them to golf, shop, spend time with the kids or do whatever strikes their fancy. They will get paid the same as before.
Government Employees and customs
The above example is about employees state.
In many countries, government workers work slightly different work weeks compared with those in sectors business. And the professional categories of "public employees" is not the same in each country.
Some countries have very strict laws Work at the weekend when everything is closed.
Lighter work months
And do not forget the differences culture when people traditionally take their annual leave. In France, many people take their annual leave in August.
In a not too distant past, the companies in Paris, was considered to reach an impasse in August each year. Although this is not 100% true in all sectors today, you still need this factor in and of driving in Paris in August is still different than the rest of the year.
And there are countries in which the schedule work is influenced by religious events for several weeks in a year.
Developing Your International Basic Skills
Of course, the above list can be useful.
But do not rely solely on this list, or any other list you can find that, when planning your schedule. It is always best to ask those interested to yourself.
In fact, the key to this article is something else.
It is important to develop international awareness to different lifestyles and different business environments.
Imagine if you want to develop relations with customers over the weekend someone whose is different from yours.
- How would you feel if you called in your weekend?
- How would you feel if you called him during their working week, but was your weekend?
You can symbolically meet his client on his land, leaving his way to call him in his day at work and their rest day.
Many delays occur in the international business development, simply because businesses are not aware of local working hours a week.
Imagine if you need something important from someone minutes before the end of your week work or the start of his month-long vacation?
- Is it a good idea to schedule an important cold call in September 1st to probably someone who has been out of the office most of August and he is trying to catch up with colleagues for the first time in a month?
As you become familiar with different work habits that are starting to learn the fundamentals of international business.
Respecting differences in standard working hours is one of the first steps. This respect also leads to keep an open mind and flexibility to meet different business environments.
Are you committed to speeding up your international sales cycles?
Learn how to combine the tools of cross-cultural marketing and international sales strategies for faster sales.
Join us in the target = "_new"> International Road Transport Sales Map.
It want to develop your international business? Are you a beginner international sales and marketing? Read the Beginners Guide target = "_new"> Discover Your International Business.
About the Author:
Cindy King
Cross-Cultural Marketer & International Sales Specialist
Over 25 years field experience in aligning cultural offers for international sales.
International content strategy
Custom publishing in English to build international markets B2B international lead generation
40km south of Paris, France – GMT+1
Cell: +33 6 98 91 86 11
Follow me on Twitter
Get International Clients
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Cultural Differences in Standard Work Schedules
|
Fairytale
$6.49
After T.O.Y.'s popular "White Light" album, this low-priced CD single presents a huge selection of remixes of fan favorites from the album. There are a lot of wonderfully clubby mixes to choose from, adding up to nearly an album-length collection! Remix contributions come from popular acts like Neuroactive, Haujobb, Voice Industrie, Syrian and others, plus T.O.Y. made an all new radio version of...
|
