Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Guide to Building Trust, Inspiring Respect, and Creating Long–Lasting Business Relationships

Praise for
ACCESS TO ASIA

"This handbook provides US Americans with detailed awareness of their own cultural habits of thinking and behavior and pinpoints those that they are most likely to meet in key Asian partners. Its extensive information, essential as a starting point for doing business together, serves as a compass for the reader, stimulating informed curiosity and questioning in real–life contexts."
Dr. George F. Simons, world–wide consultant, founder, author and editor–in–chief of diversophy® intercultural training games, France

"Unlike typical regional business guides, Access to Asia focuses on the deeper side of cultural understanding. It goes beyond rules and facts and helps the reader make sense of the often subtle, yet profound, cultural differences found in Asia something that′s critical for building successful relationships. Sharon Schweitzer understands that cultural understanding is not just a set of techniques to use, facts to learn, or rules to follow. By learning the cultural perspective of others, we explore the hidden parts of our cultural self. Access to Asia provides a great starting point for this profoundly satisfying journey."
Joseph Shaules, director, Japan Intercultural Institute, Author of The Intercultural Mind: Connecting Culture, Cognition and Global Living, Tokyo, Japan

"In a world of highly commoditized products and services, differentiation often comes in the form of human connection. At our core, we humans are remarkablysimilar. We all care about family, share anxieties, and aspire to greatness, although our definitions may vary. Our cultural norms and beliefs are the gateway to ourhearts. Access to Asia is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the cultures of Asia. Sharon′s practical approach offers a fast track to insider status in some of the most exciting economies of our day. Culture does matter!"
Stig Nybo, President, U.S. Retirement Strategy, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, Award Winning Author of Transform Tomorrow: Awakening the Super Saver in Pursuit of Retirement Readiness, California, USA

Foreword xv

About the Authors xvii

Acknowledgments xix

Introduction xxi

A Journey of Passion xxii

From Etiquette to Intercultural Exchange xxii

A Questioning Framework xxiii

Why These Asian Countries? xxiii

How This Book Is Structured xxiv

Self–Awareness Profiles xxiv

Business Is Relationships xxv

From Theory to Practice xxv

Chapter 1 A Question of Culture 1

Why This? Why Now? 6

Who Are Americans ? 7

Chapter 2 Exploring Country Cultures 9

Thinking Is Not Universal 11

Relationships Are Dynamic 12

Chapter 3 United States of America 27

Introduction 28

Quiz 28

Country Basics 29

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 34

Eight–Question Framework 43

Cultural Summary 52

Self–Awareness Profile 52

The Journey Continues . . . 53

Chapter 4 Overview of Concepts and Terms 55

Chapter 5 China 67

Introduction 68

Quiz 69

Country Basics 69

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 75

Eight–Question Framework 84

Cultural Summary 93

Self–Awareness Profile 93

Chapter 6 Hong Kong 97

Introduction 98

Quiz 99

Country Basics 99

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 104

Eight–Question Framework 113

Cultural Summary 120

Self–Awareness Profile 121

Chapter 7 India 123

Introduction 124

Quiz 125

Country Basics 125

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 131

Eight–Question Framework 139

Cultural Summary 147

Self–Awareness Profile 147

Chapter 8 Japan 151

Introduction 152

Quiz 153

Country Basics 153

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 159

Eight–Question Framework 167

Cultural Summary 177

Self–Awareness Profile 177

Chapter 9 Malaysia 181

Introduction 182

Quiz 182

Country Basics 183

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 188

Eight–Question Framework 198

Cultural Summary 205

Self–Awareness Profile 206

Chapter 10 Myanmar 209

Introduction 210

Quiz 211

Country Basics 211

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 217

Eight–Question Framework 225

Cultural Summary 233

Self–Awareness Profile 233

Chapter 11 The Philippines 237

Introduction 238

Quiz 239

Country Basics 239

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 245

Eight–Question Framework 252

Cultural Summary 258

Self–Awareness Profile 259

Chapter 12 Singapore 261

Introduction 262

Quiz 262

Country Basics 263

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 269

Eight–Question Framework 276

Cultural Summary 282

Self–Awareness Profile 283

Chapter 13 South Korea 285

Introduction 286

Quiz 287

Country Basics 287

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 293

Eight–Question Framework 303

Cultural Summary 309

Self–Awareness Profile 310

Chapter 14 Taiwan 313

Introduction 314

Quiz 315

Country Basics 315

Business Culture, Etiquette, and Customs 321

Eight–Question Framework 329

Cultural Summary 336

Self–Awareness Profile 336

Chapter 15 Summary 339

Bibliography 343

Books 343

Online Resources 348

Contributors 351

Index 359

SHARON SCHWEITZER, JD, is an intercultural consultant and international etiquette expert to current and future leaders within Global 2000 and Fortune 50 companies. As the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, her work and travels have taken her to all seven continents and over 60 countries. She has over 20 years′ experience providing consulting and training to more than 100,000 attorneys and corporate executives in law firms and global corporations. Sharon′s law practice, during her earlier years as an employment attorney, involved cultural dynamics between employees and management. She has delivered presentations and workshops for Charles University, Prague; The Ohio State University; and The University of Texas at Austin. Sharon speaks French and some Czech. She is a popular radioand TV guest as well as a sought–after conference speaker, columnist, and blogger. Connect with her at www.sharonschweitzer.com.

LIZ ALEXANDER, PhD, is the multiple awards–winning author of 15 books and acts as book strategist and consulting co–author to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and consultants worldwide. She is also co–founder of boutique consulting firm Leading Thought, directing her gifts and passion to helping aspiringthought leaders harness strategically valuable, actionable insights to grow their businesses and boost revenue. She can be reached at liz@drlizalexander.com.