When it comes to business, there is more than one important facet to creating a successful and productive company. Most importantly, is the part culture plays. Think about it. Culture, defined, is an integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of the members of any given society, and culture is thus shared through various groups of shared interests. Essentially, it’s the things people share together; language, social cues, behaviors, religions, and even various attitudes and manners that are accepted. In order to produce a successful business globally, you must learn these special aspects of culture, otherwise, you risk not only embarrassing yourself, but loosing an important deal.
Tag Archives: customs
New World, New Policy: Dumping penalties – Give to Caesar what you owe to Caesar
President Trump has issued a new executive order focusing on international cheaters, who do not pay their debts due to dumping penalties. The order targets the problem of unpaid special customs duties known as “Countervailing Duties” (CVD), levied on products from companies found guilty by an “anti-dumping” investigation.
First to the jargon: “Dumping” refers to a type of predatory trade practice. In its simplest form, it amounts to a company selling a product in a foreign market for less than it costs to make it. In theory, the goal of “dumping” is to drive down the price, and in doing so, muscle out smaller, weaker competition in order to later establish a monopoly status on that market. Under the rules of the World Trade Organization, dumping is a prohibited practice, and countries are permitted to levy special taxes on goods found to be unfairly dumped in their market in order to rebalance the price level. These tariffs are called “Countervailing Duties”, abbreviated as CVD.
Culture Clue: Britain
When you don’t talk business can be as important as when you do. In Britain, for instance, as soon as the day is done, so is business. Nothing will turn your hosts off faster than continuing shoptalk in the pub or over dinner.
Culture Clue: Customs in the Middle East
In the Middle East, it is an insult to sit facing your host with the soles of your shoes showing. Word of advice: do not place your feet on a desk, table or chair.
Have more tips on Middle Eastern customs? Post in the comment section below!