As we enter the new millennium, the growing importance of international trade and commerce has created the greatest demand ever for business people who are sophisticated in global management and skilled at working with people from other countries. Cross-cultural researchers, as well as business people themselves, continually observe and try to define the cultural differences in organizations around the world in order to suggest means of bridging the cultural divides that separate business people in one culture from those in another. Today, working in foreign countries and across different cultures requires many more skills than simply having expertise in a single functional area of business, such as finance or software programming; it also requires some knowledge of the foreign culture, its protocols and business style. LACK OF PREPARATION BY FIRMS Some research studies have been conducted on the selection, successes and failures of "expatriates" - business people who relocate to another country for the purposes of business for their firm -- to find out what training would provide for a smoother transition. Surprisingly, a recent study of 51 American companies found that only 12% offered any cross-cultural training, and that the training that was offered was inadequate, resulting in high levels of frustration for the employees and unnecessary costs to the firms.  Too often personnel are placed in a business environment in another culture with the incorrect expectation that interactions will mirror those in the United States. As a result, although most Americans who travel to other countries for business hope to make a favorable impression, often they don't. This may be due to inappropriate behaviors, comments, time orientation, social practices or etiquette differences. Actions that may be considered appropriate for professionals in corporate America may be perceived as arrogant, insensitive, overconfident, or aggressive in another culture, and so may jeopardize business success.   Other business researchers have found that there is a relationship between the rigor of the selection and training procedures of the expatriate and the expatriate's ability to perform successfully in a foreign environment. In addition, the employee's family situation was also found to be an important factor for successful business performance. As a result of this, and the costs involved in relocating workers (and their families) to another country, some firms are using local employees - also known as "host country nationals" -- when possible because of their greater familiarity with local culture and mores, or they are sending more U.S. personnel overseas on short term assignments. Most experts in the field agree that for an American business traveler to function effectively in another country with a minimum of errors, advance preparation - including learning about the culture to be visited -- is a must. THE GLOBAL COMMUTER MANAGER Traditionally, the term "international manager" has been synonymous with "expatriate manager," but this is changing. The Human Resources (HR) Director of international assignments at a high-profile Silicon Valley corporation recently shared with me that companies in the Silicon Valley increasingly search for personnel within the firm who will commute (rather than relocate) to other countries for short-term assignments in their area of functional expertise. Commuters save money for the firm because they do not require the lengthy and expensive cross-cultural training that expatriates need. (Amazingly, it is estimated that expatriate assignments cost some firms as much as five times the employee's salary annually.) Short-term assignments also reduce disruption to the employee's life and family - an important issue given that many Silicon Valley families have two working parents due to the high cost of living there.  The net result is that today more American business people, particularly women, are traveling on international business than ever before, representing many levels of their organizations and many areas of functional expertise, while in the past usually only senior executives traveled to other countries. The U.S. Department of Travel reports that women now account for 50% of U.S. business travel, and a significant part of international business travel. As one senior HR executive commented, "In high tech there is no time for discrimination. If you breathe and you can do the job, you will go overseas on business." Because of this, a new type of cosmopolitan, multilingual, multifaceted executive who functions effectively across national borders is now in demand. Companies are beginning to focus less on who an international manager is in terms of title and gender, but to consider instead which employees can best complete international tasks and assume responsibilities, and they are ! using this as a basis for deciding who to send on foreign assignments.

International Business: A Basic Guide for Women

Business & Money

Wilen, Tracey

International

Xlibris

Take the mystery out of doing business internationally. This handbook is a must for women and men who would like a little insight into the business customs around the world. There are helpful tips that will help the business traveler avoid embarrassing faux-pas." Sue Kelly Operations Manager, Cisco Systems A must read for any woman who is trying to establish her credibility in global business relationships." Holly Howe Sr. Consultant Saba Software "International Business is a suitable guidebook for women on business etiquette and protocol worldwide. This easy to read book is suitable for the novice and expert business travels. Highlights in the book include tips on negotiating, business protocol, social etiquette and general tips for each region." Margaret Wysock Manager Integrated Communications IBM "International Business is the only book that looks at the unique issues that women face when conducting business in multiple regions of the world. This book includes practical discussions of preparation, meeting protocol, socializing and negotiating, as well as tips on wardrobe, health and safety concerns, and traveling alone." Pat Deasy Sr. Consultant Base Consulting "There are many articles and books available for business people traveling overseas. Of these there are a few that deal directly with the advantages and challenge that women have in foreign business. This book provides an excellent overview and in depth look at women conducting business in many of the regions in the world. I would highly recommend this to women and men alike." Gary Daugenti President Gent & Associates "This is the business woman's survival guide to successfully navigating International business cultures and practices. Every woman who travels for business should read this book. From general hints on how to get around to tips on specific cultural nuances this book gives you the secrets on how to be successful in International business."

Europe for Women in Business is a guidebook for women and men on business etiquette and protocol in the following countries: Britain, France, Germany and Italy. This easy to read book is suitable for the novice and expert business travels. Highlights in the book include tips on negotiating, business protocol, social etiquette and general tips for each country. Additional sections address safety issues, the status of women in each country as well as interesting travel tidbits. The book is in an easy to read format with anecdotes from women who travel on business to these countries as well as women who live in these countries.

Europe for Women in Business

Wilen, Patricia

UNSPECIFIED VENDOR

A must read for women who work for, sell to, or communicate with Japanese businesses.

Doing Business with Japanese Men: A Woman's Handbook

Brannen, Christalyn

Business Culture

Stone Bridge Press

More and more American professional women are traveling to the new industrial powerhouses of East Asia, but the region's traditional attitudes about "a woman's place" pose special problems. This practical guide helps counteract these attitudes to bolster the visiting businesswoman's authority and effectiveness. Extensive checklists summarize key points of etiquette and winning strategies for working effectively.

Asia for Women on Business: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea

Management & Leadership

China is today the world’s largest producer of manufactured goods, and more and more businesswomen are working and traveling there as American firms expand their international trade. Based on interviews with women executives and entrepreneurs who have succeeded in China, this concise book offers straightforward advice for avoiding gender and cultural obstacles. Topics include travel, gaining cultural awareness, establishing credibility, understanding negotiation protocol and process, coping with harassment, and entertaining, plus background on women in Chinese history and society.
Author and expert Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti is an executive in Silicon Valley and a frequent guest on local and national business media.

China for Businesswomen: A Strategic Guide to Travel, Negotiating, and Cultural Differences

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Wilen, Tracey. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Wilen, Tracey

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Wilen, Tracey. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

International Business: A Basic Guide for Women

International Business: A Basic Guide for Women

Europe for Women in Business

Doing Business with Japanese Men: A Woman's Handbook

Asia for Women on Business: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea

China for Businesswomen: A Strategic Guide to Travel, Negotiating, and Cultural Differences