Briefing 6: Conducting Business In (Your Country)

In Briefing 5, you explored the cultural essentials relative to the country you've been studying. Briefing 6 (see example) is an extension of the cultural topic, but emphasizes how culture relates to conducting business in the country. Use at least three sources to prepare this briefing, which should not exceed 4 pages.

Culture Impacts Business 

Culture dictates behavior in a country, and anyone who wishes to conduct business in a country must be aware of what the locals expect culturally. In South Korea, for example, if you want to meet with a business executive to discuss trade, you should make an appointment at least several weeks in advance. And then, don't expect to finalize business at that first meeting. Culturally, Koreans want an opportunity to get to know you before striking a business agreement. At the first meeting you may explore the host's needs and challenges as they relate to your product or service, but you would probably not discuss terms of a deal. That would occur at a future meeting. If you go to the first meeting with a contract, expecting your host to sign it, you may be politely ushered out of the meeting and eventually out of the country. Even though you are from another country, you are expected to know how business is conducted in your host's country. Ignorance of culture is often interrupted as rudeness.

What to Discuss

Cover these and other topics in your briefing:

• Business Relationships
• Business Communications
• Business Etiquette
• Dress
• Business Cards
• Appropriate socializing customs
• Manners
• Gift Giving

Deadline

Email Briefing 6 to me no later than 7 p.m. (Kuwait Time) Wednesday 11 April. Bring 8 copies of your briefing to class on Thursday 12 April and be prepared to discuss it.

Best of Kuwait Set for 22 May at GUST

Best of Kuwait Fact Sheet

DATE:                                   

Tuesday 22 May 2012

LOCATION:                         

Gulf University for Science & Technology Conference Center

TIME:                                    

6 p.m.   

WHO'S INVITED:               

The public is encouraged to attend! GUST students, faculty, staff, MBAs, family and friends, are encouraged to attend. Local business owners will be invited, including winners of the Best of Kuwait.

The Event

GUST MBA students enrolled in Managerial Communications will reveal the best businesses in Kuwait in the following industries: 

• Diet Centers
• Nail Spas
• Universities
• Kuwaiti Restaurants
• Hotels
• German Auto Companies
• Hospitals
• Airlines
• Arabic Newspapers

Teams of students will have spent weeks researching each niche. Through various research methodologies, including interviewing and surveying, each team will present the top three businesses in these nine categories. The MBAs will reveal the results during formal presentations at the Best of Kuwait.

Briefing 5: Cultural Essentials

An international trader can make dramatic and costly blunders if she's unaware of a country's cultural issues. In Briefing 5 (see example) you will explore the cultural issues that impact trade in your country of choice. This briefing is limited to 3 pages including sources.

Begin with an Overview of the country's cultural essentials. What would you or your company need to know about the culture of your targeted country to successfully trade with that country?

Here are key topics to include in your report:

• Language
• Religion
• Values
• Education
• Traditions

Deadline

Email Briefing 5 to me no later than 7 p.m. (Kuwait time) Wednesday 28 March. Bring 8 copies of your briefing to class on Thursday 29 March and be prepared to discuss it. 

Quiz 3: Chapters 5 and 6

Be prepared for Quiz 3 on Tuesday 20 March. The quiz covers terms from Chapters 5 and 6.

Briefing 4 is due Wednesday 21 March . . . an update about Briefing 5 will be posted that same day. Briefings are due weekly, so watch the blog! 

Final Assessment: Get The Details

Final Assessment details can be downloaded here. Please ask for clarifications if necessary. And be sure to get started early!

Please Observe Class Requirements

1.  Due to the late arrivals, I will now begin closing the door at 5 minutes after 3. If the door is closed, please do not knock because you are late and will not be admitted. Come earlier next time!

2.  Briefings are due as explained on the blog. Partners need to be present to discuss their briefings. If a partner is not present then the attending partner must be fully prepared to present. If you read from your briefing you are not prepared.

Please take these matters seriously, especially if you care about your grade. 

Briefing 4: Economic Essentials

Here's an example of Briefing 4 which covers the economy of your country of choice. This briefing is limited to 3 pages, including sources.

The briefing explores the country's economic issues, especially as they impact trading. Be sure to include these topics:

• Stage of Development
• Demographics
• Consumer Confidence
• Income and Wealth Distribution
• Composition of Gross Domestic Product

Add other relevant topics of your choice. In the Overview, explain how the economy is dependent (or not) on international trade. How does trade impact the country's economy?

Deadline

Email your briefing to me no later than 7 p.m. (Kuwait time) Wednesday 21 March. Bring 8 copies of your briefing to class on Thursday 22 March and be prepared to discuss it.