Download pdf - Survival Kit to Asian Business Culture

12.1.2015 Copyright Hanuman Consulting 1

HANUMAN CONSULTING

SURVIVAL KIT TO ASIAN

CULTURES AND MENTALITY

- Focus on Southeast Asia


East Asia Greater China

South Asia Southeast Asia

Asian Puzzle

Distinguish the areas. Can you do it?

Note: Mentality doesn’t always follow the national borders.


- Two powers: China and Japan

- Southeast Asia at the crossroads of India, China,

and Arabian merchants.

- Long roads of colonialisation

- Independence during ”The Great Wars of Europe”

- Unification and disputes of Asian countries

Influences of History


Belief is fundamental.

• Believe in something, otherwise you don’t exist.

• Religions and beliefs are diverse and can be overlapping.

Which religion dictates the behavior and belief of each individual? • Hinduism

• Buddhism

• Islam

• Christianity (and its sub religions)

• Confucianism

• Taoism

• Shintoism

• Animistic beliefs and others


How about a Local Language?

• Japan: Japanese (note: differences depending who you talk to)

• China: Putonghua (hanyu) and several other dialects (Cantonese is quite different

from Mandarin)

• Korea: Korea

• Myanmar: Burma

• Laos: Lao tai (ethnic dialecst, thai, vietnam, chinese)

• Kambodza: Khmer

• Vietnam: Vietnam (feel free to try: French, English, Russian)

• Indonesia: Java, Sundanesia, Malay, Mandurese, Minanglabau, Indonesia, Batakki,

Bali, Chinese, Aceh etc

• Malaysia: Bahasa malaysia (English)

• Philippines: Tagalog, Cebuano and others (Pilipino, English)

?!


Mentality and Values 1/2 - From Confucianism: moral, relations, family, respect for elders, hierarchial

thinking, harmony and conflict avoidance.

- ”Face”: keep, save or give.

- Define status in order to communicate in a proper manner.

- Concept of time is often based on feelings rather than what the ”rolex”

indicates.

- Pay attention to symbolism and meanings when giving gifts.

- Eating is interaction as its best. (Note. Sitting order defines who pays the bill.)


Mentality and Values 2/2

- Redefine terms i.e. shake off your

own understanding on such concepts

as democracy, corruption, truth and

lies, friends and enemies, mistakes,

nepotism, contract, showing respect.


Business Mentality 1/2

- Complex and hierarchial: do you really know who decides?

- Step at the time, planning secondary.

- ”Out of sight, out of mind”

- No public criticism.

- Debt of gratitude is a loan.

- Short agreements, long (business) relations.

- Business done with ”friends” and with ”friends’ friends”

- Official and unofficial meetings mix.


- Authority inherited, not based on accomplishment.

- Three groups for an Asian: family, friends and enemies.

- Communication is hierarchial.

- Collectivism before individualism (”we” instead of ”I”)

- Useful third persons for awkward situations.

- Win-win = everybody gets something (but not necessarily ”win”)

- Trust first, details later.

- Celebrate, have fun, eat & meet!

Business Mentality 2/2

NO:”Time is money.”

BUT: ”Money talks.”


Stereo-types: Prepare with reserva-tions

Their expect-ations about you

Personali-ty: Background and behavioral style

Before Going…

Market

study: history,religion,

ethnicity,

legalities, intl &

national

relations, etc.


Want to indulge more into

Asian Mentality and Cultures?

Hanuman Consulting

www.hanuman.fi

[email protected]

Tel. +358 40 5868899