Facts and Statistics Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and MexicoCapital: Washington, DCClimate: mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest.Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.)Ethnic Make-up: white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2% (2003 est.) Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)Government: Constitution-based federal republic Language in the USA The United States does not have an official language, but English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language. The variety of English spoken in the United States is known as American English; together with Canadian English it makes up the group of dialects known as North American English. Spanish is the second-most common language in the country, spoken by almost 30 million people (or 12% of the population). American Society and Culture Diversity America is ultimately a nation of immigrants and as a result is a cultural mish-mash in every sense of the word. Not only is the country populated by people from foreign countries but all Americans in one way or another trace their ancestry back to another culture, whether Irish, German, Italian or Scottish. Looking around any major city one will notice the ‘melting-pot’ that it is. Informal and Friendly Most people who come to the United States may already know a few things about the people through TV. Although this is of course a skewed reality some of the stereotypes are true, especially American friendliness and informality. People tend to not wait to be introduced, will begin to speak with strangers as they stand in a queue, sit next to each other at an event, etc. Visitors can often be surprised when people are so informal to the point of being very direct or even rude. Time is Money The country that coined the phrase obviously lives the phrase. In America, time is a very important commodity. People 'save' time and 'spend' time as if it were money in the bank. Americans ascribe personality characteristics and values based on how people use time. For example, people who are on-time are considered to be good people, reliable people who others can count on. The Family The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is typically small (with exceptions among certain ethnic groups). Extended family relatives live in their own homes, often at great distances from their children. Individualism is prized, and this is reflected in the family unit. People are proud of their individual accomplishments, initiative and success, and may, or may not, share those sources of pride with their elders.
Meeting and Greeting Greetings are casual. A handshake, a smile, and a 'hello' are all that is needed. Smile! Use first names, and be sure to introduce everyone to each other. Gift Giving Etiquette In general, Americans give gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and major holidays, such as Christmas. A gift can be as simple as a card and personal note to something more elaborate for a person with whom you are close. Gift giving is not an elaborate event, except at Christmas. When invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a small box of good chocolates, a bottle of wine, a potted plant or flowers for the hostess. Gifts are normally opened when received. Dining Etiquette Americans socialise in their homes and ‘backyards’, in restaurants and in other public places. It's not at all unusual for social events to be as casual as a backyard barbecue or a picnic in the park. Arrive on time if invited for dinner; no more than 10 minutes later than invited to a small gathering. If it is a large party, it is acceptable to arrive up to 30 minutes later than invited. Table manners are more relaxed in the U.S. than in many other countries. The fork is held in the right hand and is used for eating. The fork is held tines down. The knife is used to cut or spread something. To use the knife, the fork is switched to the left hand. To continue eating, the fork is switched back to the right hand. If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate. If you are more comfortable eating in the Continental manner, go ahead. It will not offend anyone. Feel free to refuse specific foods or drinks without offering an explanation. Many foods are eaten by hand. Food is often served family-style, which means that it is in large serving dishes and passed around the table for everyone to serve themselves. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts or says to begin. Remain standing until invited to sit down. Do not rest your elbows on the table. Put your napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down. Leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating.
Business Dress What is considered appropriate business attire varies by geographic region, day of the week and industry. In general, people in the East dress more formally, while people in the West are known for being a bit more casual. Executives usually dress formally regardless of which part of the country they are in. Casual Friday is common in many companies. High technology companies often wear casual clothes every day. For an initial meeting, dressing conservatively is always in good taste. Women can wear business suits, dresses or pantsuits. Men should wear a business suit unless you know the firm to be quite casual. Greetings The hand shake is the common greeting. Handshakes are firm, brief and confident. Maintain eye contact during the greeting. In most situations, you can begin calling people by their first names. Most people will insist that you call them by their nickname, if they have one. In formal circumstances, you may want to use titles and surnames as a courtesy until you are invited to move to a first name basis, which will happen quickly. Business cards are exchanged without formal ritual. It is quite common for the recipient to put your card in their wallet, which may then go in the back pocket of their trousers. This is not an insult. Communication Styles Americans are direct. They value logic and linear thinking and expect people to speak clearly and in a straightforward manner. To them if you don’t “tell it how it is” you simply waste time, and time is money. If you are from a culture that is more subtle in communication style, try not to be insulted by the directness. Try to get to your point more quickly and don’t be afraid to be more direct and honest than you are used to. Americans will use the telephone to conduct business that would require a face-to-face meeting in most other countries. They do not insist upon seeing or getting to know the people with whom they do business. Business Meetings Arrive on time for meetings since time and punctuality are so important to Americans. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are extremely punctual and view it as a sign of disrespect for someone to be late for a meeting or appointment. In the Southern and Western states, people may be a little more relaxed, but to be safe, always arrive on time, although you may have to wait a little before your meeting begins. Meetings may appear relaxed, but they are taken quite seriously. If there is an agenda, it will be followed. At the conclusion of the meeting, there will be a summary of what was decided, a list of who will implement which facets and a list of the next steps to be taken and by whom. If you make a presentation, it should be direct and to the point. Visual aids should further enhance your case. Use statistics to back up your claims, since Americans are impressed by hard data and evidence. With the emphasis on controlling time, business is conducted rapidly. Expect very little small talk before getting down to business. It is common to attempt to reach an oral agreement at the first meeting. The emphasis is on getting a contract signed rather than building a relationship. The relationship may develop once the first contract has been signed Introduction The population of the United States is 300 million people of mixed races and heritage. Although the population is predominantly of European descent, the country has been a welcoming beacon to immigrants from virtually every country and culture in the world. English is the predominant language, although languages from many foreign countries are spoken within cultural enclaves throughout the U.S. The majority of American's (U.S.) are Christian. The United States of America consists of 50 states governed on a federal level, as well as a state level. Laws are written at both levels, and when doing business in the United States one must make sure to meet the requirements mandated by these laws. The country is very litigious so legal resources are available and specialists can be found to assist with any transaction. The culture and geographic location of an area will influence how business is done. Traditionally, the East Coast is more conservative and formal in their dress and manners than the West Coast. That is not to say a West Coast meeting carries any less importance. The climate and lifestyle are just more relaxed, which is reflected in the pace and informality.
Fun Fact Many years ago business was conducted predominantly by men. A woman's role was to maintain the family and home responsibilities. Evening events and dinners were strictly for social enjoying with family and friends. Social registers were maintained so only those in the "proper" group would be included. A gentleman never carried his business cards to these events, but a social card with just his name. Times have changed. Now, business is conducted continuously (thanks to breakfast meetings, e-mail, and cellular phones); and, women are now as significant in the business world as men. The U. S. was founded on the work ethic that good, honest, hard work is rewarded. Because of this work ethic, time is money and punctuality is highly regarded, so a cellular phone can save the day when automobile traffic in a major city causes unexpected delays. Brain Teaser: What do you wear to a high level meeting with a corporate executive who is worth millions, is 22 years old, lives at the beach, and has the latest computer innovation?
Geert Hofstede AnalysisUnited States of America
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The Geert Hofstede analysis for the United States is very similar to other World Countries that have their heritage founded in Europe with strong ties to the British Isles (see Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). Individualism ranks highest and is a significant factor in the life of U.S. Americans. The low ranking of Long-term Orientation reflects a freedom in the culture from long-term traditional commitments, which allows greater flexibility and the freedom to react quickly to new opportunities. There are only seven (7) countries in the Geert Hofstede research that have Individualism (IDV) as their highest Dimension: USA (91), Australia (90), United Kingdom (89), Netherlands and Canada (80), and Italy (76). The high Individualism (IDV) ranking for the United States indicates a society with a more individualistic attitude and relatively loose bonds with others. The populace is more self-reliant and looks out for themselves and their close family members. The next highest Hofstede Dimension is Masculinity (MAS) with a ranking of 62, compared with a world average of 50. This indicates the country experiences a higher degree of gender differentiation of roles. The male dominates a significant portion of the society and power structure. This situation generates a female population that becomes more assertive and competitive, with women shifting toward the male role model and away from their female role. The United States was included in the group of countries that had the Long Term Orientation (LTO) Dimension added. The LTO is the lowest Dimension for the US at 29, compared to the world average of 45. This low LTO ranking is indicative of the societies' belief in meeting its obligations and tends to reflect an appreciation for cultural traditions. The next lowest ranking Dimension for the United States is Power Distance (PDI) at 40, compared to the world Average of 55. This is indicative of a greater equality between societal levels, including government, organizations, and even within families. This orientation reinforces a cooperative interaction across power levels and creates a more stable cultural environment. The last Geert Hofstede Dimension for the US is Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI), with a ranking of 46, compared to the world average of 64. A low ranking in the Uncertainty Avoidance Dimension is indicative of a society that has fewer rules and does not attempt to control all outcomes and results. It also has a greater level of tolerance for a variety of ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. More Geert Hofstede Details Written by Stephen Taylor - the Sigma Two Group
Religion in the United States of America * WORLD FACTBOOK 2002 In analyzing Predominantly Christian countries, the primary correlation between religion and the Geert Hofstede Dimensions is a high Individualism (IDV) ranking. This indicates that predominantly Christian countries have a strong belief in individuality, with individual rights being paramount within the society. Individuals in these countries may tend to form a larger number of looser relationships. (See accompanying Article) The predominant religion in the United States is Christian at 56%, and when added to Catholic practitioners (28%) , the total practice of Christianity within the US is 84%. (We have defined a predominantly Christian country as over 50% of the population practicing some form of Christianity, other than Catholicism. See the accompanying article)
Appearance Business suit and tie are appropriate in all major cities. Wear dark colored business suits in classic colors of gray and navy. For an important formal meeting, choose a white dress shirt, for less formal a light blue shirt will still give you a conservative appearance. Women should wear a suit or dress with jacket in major cities. Wearing classic clothing and classic colors of navy, gray, ivory, and white will ensure you give a confident and conservative appearance. Rural areas and areas with extremely warm summers have more informal wardrobe requirements. Women may wear a business dress, or skirt and blouse, in rural areas. Men may conduct business without wearing a jacket and/or tie in rural areas. The formality of a meeting, even in rural areas, may dictate a sports jacket and tie for men. The same formality will require a woman to wear a dress, possibly with a jacket. Casual clothing is appropriate when not attending a work related meeting/dinner. Building a casual wardrobe using classic lines and colors (navy, gray, camel, ivory and white) will give you a look that is stylish and professional even when you are relaxing. Clothing, whether formal or casual, should be clean and neat in appearance. Men may generally wear jeans or khaki pants with a shirt for casual attire. Women may wear comfortably fitting slacks with a casual shirt. Wearing jeans or shorts, even in a casual setting, may be inappropriate for the city. It is better to err on the conservative side if you are not sure.
Behavior Business conversation may take place during meals. However, many times you will find more social conversation taking place during the actual meal. Business meetings may be arranged as breakfast meetings, luncheon meetings, or dinner meetings depending on time schedules and necessity. Generally a dinner, even though for business purposes, is treated as a social meal and a time to build rapport. Gift giving is discouraged or limited by many US companies. A gracious written note is always appropriate and acceptable. If you do give a gift, it should not appear to be a bribe. An invitation for a meal or a modest gift is usually acceptable. If you are someplace with a line or queue, go to the end and wait your turn. Do not use or chew on a toothpick in public. Many public places and private homes do not allow smoking. In some areas laws have been passed to prevent smoking in public places.
Communications Offer a firm handshake, lasting 3-5 seconds, upon greeting and leaving. Maintain good eye contact during your handshake. If you are meeting several people at once, maintain eye contact with the person you are shaking hands with, until you are moving on the next person. Good eye contact during business and social conversations shows interest, sincerity and confidence. Good friends may briefly embrace, although the larger the city, usually the more formal the behavior. Introductions include one's title if appropriate, or Mr., Ms, Mrs. and the full name. Business cards are generally exchanged during introductions. However, they may be exchanged when one party is leaving. A smile is a sign of friendliness, and in rural areas you may be greeted with a "hello" rather than a handshake. Ask permission to smoke before lighting a cigarette or cigar. Due to health concerns, you may or may not be given permission
Importance of following basic Business Etiquette Rules While Americans are often considered as informal and casual about business etiquette, following basic rules American Business Culture should not be undersatimated. Most companies in the United States are characterized by a high professionalism. Following proper business etiquette will not only reflect your own professionalism; it is also is also a sign of respect and acknowledgement for the cultural significance of business in the United States. Finally - as a cultural outsider - it may be a significant impact on your success or failure in the American market place. The USA Business Etiquette There is no question that the American culture manifests itself in a lot of rules people do obey when doing business with each other. However, it should not be underestimated, that different regions within the United States will have and act upon their own rules. The same applies to different industries: the USA steel industry might have different behavioral rules than companies working in the field of Information Technology. Finally, individual behavior of your USA business partners will always vary and maybe you will deal with one or the other USA business person who has the worst Business Etiquette you could imagine. Many readers won't and also should not agree on all "rules" they read or hear about. American Business Etiquette Rules are not written in stone. Ask three USA Business Culture Experts and you will have three different recommendations what to do and what not to do. It is important to be aware, but you have to decide yourself what you may want to incorporate when launching your USA business and what not. The American Business Culture: Do what everybody else is doing? A good starting point to learn how the American business culture works is simply to do business. Doing business will automatically get business newcomers in contact with a variety of American business people. You should try to develop a talent of sensing and observing the behavior, gestures or for example dress-codes from your business partners and customers at any time. From your first contact with anybody in business in the United States, it should be a compassionate goal to sense how Americans act in everyday business situations. Doing business in the United States will quickly offer more training partners than you may can handle. Training partners can be suppliers, business partners, people you meet on a trade show and even the annoying telemarketers (but don't buy anything from them!) You should also be more specific and sense even more from those people who work in your industry since they represent the peer group which is most relevant for you succeeding in USA business. Common Sense still works With all theoretical knowledge about business etiquette in the United States and plenty of available information, common sense still applies at any time. Basic rules such as saying "please" and "thank you" or listening and not interrupting while somebody else is talking should be part of everybody's behavioral repertoire. While this is not in particular an "USA Business Etiquette Rule", it does of course apply to USA business situations to treat other people respectfully. There will be numerous situations which are not covered by any known USA Business Etiquette rule. Mastering these situations will simply require some common sense, a little flexibility and personal manners. About the Author Ben Baier owns and runs www.myusabusiness.com. You can learn more on the 'about' section on the left within this website. The Phone Always return calls. Even if you don’t yet have an answer to the caller’s question, call and explain what you’re doing to get the requested information, or direct them to the appropriate place to get it. If you’re going to be out, have someone pick up your calls or at a minimum, have your answering system tell the caller when you’ll be back in the office and when they can expect a call back. When you initiate a call and get a receptionist or secretary, identify yourself and tell them the basic nature of your call. That way, you’ll be sure you’re getting the right person or department and the person you’re trying to reach will be able to pull up the appropriate information and help you more efficiently. When you’re on the receiving end of a phone call, identify yourself and your department. Answer the phone with some enthusiasm or at least warmth, even if you ARE being interrupted, the person on the other end doesn’t know that! Make sure your voice mail system is working properly and doesn’t tell the caller that the mailbox is full, transfer them to nowhere, or ring indefinitely. Address technical and system problems- a rude machine or system is as unacceptable as a rude person. You don’t have to reply to obvious solicitations. If someone is calling to sell you something, you can indicate that you are not interested and hang up without losing too much time on it. However, you do need to be careful. You may be receiving a call from an insurance or long distance company that wants to hire you as a consultant! Be sure you know the nature of the call before you (politely, of course) excuse yourself. Personalize the conversation. Many people act in electronic media (including phone, phone mail, and e-mail) the way they act in their cars. They feel since they’re not face-to-face with a person, it is perfectly acceptable to be abrupt, crass, or rude. We need to ensure that we make best use of the advantages of these media without falling headfirst into the disadvantages. Here is tip #7… Meetings If a subject is important enough to call a meeting, be considerate of the participants’ time and ensure that it is well prepared. Communicate beforehand- * The objective* The expected duration ( Be sure to observe the ending time scrupulously, unless everyone agrees to continue.)* Items expected to be discussed Often overlooked- be sure to THANK meeting members for their time and participation, and demonstrate (in the minutes or written record, at least) how their contributions helped meet the objective of the meeting. Participants are frequently left wondering if they’ve been heard or if their attendance and contributions were noticed. Distribute minutes or some written record (no matter how simple the meeting) to all attendees and absentees, with concise but complete descriptions of decisions made and including action items. Never assign an action item to a person who is not present to negotiate it, unless you absolutely have to. Note in the minutes that the person hasn’t been notified, and will be contacted for a final disposition of the item. I came across a great article on business etiquette called More Than Just Eating With the Right Fork by Paula Williams that I thought I would share tips from over the next few weeks. Here is tip #6… International Business The information in this article is presented from a Western point of view. It is important to note that etiquette in other cultures requires a bit of adaptation and flexibility. If you’re traveling on business to a foreign destination, or have visitors here, it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the culture they are coming from and make appropriate allowances. Items to consider: Language (make an effort to learn theirs if possible, but don’t pretend to be fluent unless you have many years of study under your belt!) Time zones Working schedules Holidays Food customs (table manners, use of implements, etc.) Generally speaking, as long as you are trying to be considerate and express an interest in learning, you should be fine. If in doubt, err on the conservative, formal side. I came across a great article on business etiquette called More Than Just Eating With the Right Fork by Paula Williams that I thought I would share tips from over the next few weeks. Here is tip #5… Superiors The only thing you owe your boss above and beyond what you owe peers and subordinates is more information. Unobtrusively be sure he or she knows what you’re doing, is alerted as early as possible to issues that may arise, and is aware of outcomes and milestones. Never surprise your boss. It goes without saying that you should speak well of him or her within and outside the company, and give him or her the benefit of the doubt. (Which you would do for anyone, of course!) I came across a great article on business etiquette called More Than Just Eating With the Right Fork by Paula Williams that I thought I would share tips from over the next few weeks. Here is tip #4… Peers and Subordinates Impressing the boss isn’t enough. A 1997 study by Manchester Partners International, says even in this tight job market, 40% of new management hires fail in their first jobs. The key reason for their failure is their inability to build good relationships with peers and subordinates. Social rank or class is a cornerstone of social interaction in many cultures. The corporate climate in the United States is no exception. People tend to feel uneasy until they’ve seen an “organizational chart” or figured out who reports to whom. They feel that it is more important to show respect and practice etiquette around superiors than around peers or subordinates. The current social and economic climate is one of rapid advancement through technology, which make it very possible (and even likely) for a pesky salesman to become an important client, or an administrative assistant to become a manager. Mergers and acquisitions add to this “class mixing,” causing a former competitor to become a coworker overnight. This can make things awkward if you treat people differently depending on their “corporate standing.” If you show respect and courtesy to everyone, regardless of position or company, you avoid discomfort or damaging your chances in any unexpected turn of events. Having a consistent demeanor improves your credibility. Even the people at the top will begin to suspect your motives if you treat VIPs with impeccable courtesy and snap at counter clerks. I came across a great article on business etiquette called More Than Just Eating With the Right Fork by Paula Williams that I thought I would share tips from over the next few weeks. Here is tip #3… It’s About People Talk and visit with people. Don’t differentiate by position or standing within the company. Secretaries and janitorial staff actually have tremendous power to help or hinder your career. Next time you need a document prepared or a conference room arranged for a presentation, watch how many people are involved with that process (you’ll probably be surprised!) and make it a point to meet them and show your appreciation. Make it a point to arrive ten or fifteen minutes early and visit with people that work near you. When you’re visiting another site, linger over a cup of coffee and introduce yourself to people nearby. If you arrive early for a meeting, introduce yourself to the other participants. At social occasions, use the circumstances of the event itself as an icebreaker. After introducing yourself, ask how they know the host or how they like the crab dip. Talk a little about yourself- your hobbies, kids, or pets; just enough to get people to open up about theirs and get to know you as a person. Keep notes on people. There are several “contact management” software applications that are designed for salespeople, but in business, nearly everyone is a salesperson in some capacity or another. They help you create a “people database” with names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, spouse and children’s’ names; whatever depth of information is appropriate for your situation. It’s a good idea to remember what you can about people; and to be thoughtful. Send cards or letters for birthdays or congratulations of promotions or other events, send flowers for engagements, weddings or in condolence for the death of a loved one or family member. People will remember your kindness, probably much longer than you will! came across a great article on business etiquette called More Than Just Eating With the Right Fork by Paula Williams that I thought I would share tips from over the next few weeks. Here is tip #2… The Basics The most important thing to remember is to be courteous and thoughtful to the people around you, regardless of the situation. Consider other people’s feelings, stick to your convictions as diplomatically as possible. Address conflict as situation-related, rather than person-related. Apologize when you step on toes. You can’t go too far wrong if you stick with the basics you learned in Kindergarten. (Not that those basics are easy to remember when you’re in a hard-nosed business meeting! ) This sounds simplistic, but the qualities we admire most when we see them in people in leadership positions, those are the very traits we work so hard to engender in our children. If you always behave so that you would not mind your spouse, kids, or grandparents watching you, you’re probably doing fine. Avoid raising your voice (surprisingly, it can be much more effective at getting attention when lower it!) using harsh or derogatory language toward anyone (present or absent), or interrupting. You may not get as much “airtime” in meetings at first, but what you do say will be much more effective because it carries the weight of credibility and respectability. The following are guidelines and tips that we’ve found helpful for dealing with people in general, in work environments, and in social situations.
