Cyborlink (1) is a quick-reference website illustrating global
manners and customs provided through the International Business
Center (2), a not-for-profit organization that operates as an
information resource to the international business community.
Cyborlink is divided into more than 30 different country profiles.
Each
profile includes categories such as appearance, behavior, and
communication. Additionally, the website provides helpful links
such as a currency converter (3) and a link to the CIA World
Factbook (4).
A more thorough website resource is Executive Planet (5), which
covers almost 50 different countries with a series of articles
written about each one of them, including topics like gift-giving,
good and bad colors for wrapping paper, conversational topics such
as the role of compliments, guidelines for hosting a social event,
public behavior such as how to greet a stranger, and negotiating
tactics. Each country guide is written by a qualified professional
whose credentials are listed on the site. There are also discussion
boards on the website where readers can leave questions or comments
about any of the material covered.
A third online resource sells reports on various countries and the
business customs particular to them. Worldbiz (6) provides articles
on various business etiquette and entertaining topics for more than
100 different countries. The prices of each report range from $24
to $95.
For a more personal approach, there are companies such as the Lett
Group (7) that provide business etiquette workshops for businessmen
and women to get a basic overlay of customs in other countries. One
of the upcoming programs offered is a one- or two-day seminar
called "Boardroom Polish - Business Etiquette and Entertaining."
This seminar covers greetings, introductions, business meals and
receptions, business card usage, clients in the office, business
travel, telephone skills, and effective correspondence, as well as
awareness and body language. The next available date for the
one-day seminar is September 7, at $425 per person, and the next
date for the two-day seminar is July 12-13, at $1,050 per person.
Finally, one useful book to consult is "Global Business Etiquette: a Guide to International Communications and Customs" by Jeannette S. Martin and Lillian H. Chaney (Praeger Publishers, 2006, $34.95) (8), which covers giving gifts, dress and appearance, cultural attitudes, dining and tipping customs, conversational manners, written and spoken communication, and greetings. The book is written in a casual style and targets the business traveler audience. Another helpful book is "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries: 2nd Edition" by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway (Adams Media Corporation, 2006, $24.95) (9), which covers greetings, gift-giving, entertaining, forms of address, and appointments in 60 countries.