Name

Statement about name

True or False

Kim Sue

You’re conducting an online meeting to which members of your new South Korean team have been invited. Kim Sue, one of the lower-ranking members of the team, hardly says anything. This is probably because South Korea has high power distance and she doesn’t want to exceed her authority.

Mohammad Azur

During your second meeting with Mohammad Azure, one of your overseas investors, you say, “The profit from the rollout of our new product should more than make up for the downturn in sales last year.” You should probably have worded this comment differently for easier understanding.

Ms. Pepino

You’re a business consultant in your first meeting with Ms. Pepino, president of an Italian company that manufactures designer shoes. When describing a management problem she’s having, Ms. Pepino gestures animatedly with her hands, makes intense facial expressions, and raises her voice. You should try to calm her down by making your own behavior unemotional.

Mr. Alvera

Today you arrived for your second meeting with Mr. Alvera at his office in Rio de Janeio, Brazil. He arrived 20 mins late, full of goodwill and more than a few drinks. This clearly is a sign that he doesn’t value your business.

Marie Arnaud

You arrive at the Charles de Gaulle airport in France for your third meeting with Marie Arnaud, owner of a small export business, who is picking you up herself. When you see her, you walk toward her, smiling, and hold out your hand. Instead of shaking it, Marie leans forward and kisses you on both cheeks. You are correct to fear that the business relationship is getting too personal.

Sam King

In his thank-you message to the Malaysian business team he just met with, Sam wrote, “I am confident that we are on the same page with this venture, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.” This is an excellent way to convey his enthusiasm.

Geoffrey Benedict

When you first meet your contact for your company’s new British partner, you slap him on the back, call him “Geoff,” and pump his hand about six times. You could be accused on ethnocentrism.

Mr. Wong

You took Mr. Wong, a Chinese businessman, out for BBQ ribs. When you asked him how he liked them, he commented pleasantly that they were “spicy.” This probably means that he didn’t like them.

Janet Kiser

Janet is getting ready to do business in the Philippines, so she studies several cross-cultural resources to find out how the stereotypical Filipino behaves. This is a good step toward figuring out how to behave when she meets her business contacts there.