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India Global Culture
IndiaGlobal Culture
Opening Remarks
India’s Culture
Intro to
India
India’s Culture
The last decade has witnessed the emergence of India as the center for “business process outsourcing” in the global market
India’s Culture
In India, ideas and beliefs have constituted the state’s strategic outlook and behavior
India’s Culture
Large multinational corporations are using India as a primary hub for the Business Process Outsourcing in the global market
India’s Culture
The development of new information and communications technology made possible the outsourcing of jobs that do not require face-to-face customer service and that allow for telecommuting by telephone and/or the internet
India’s Culture
For educated workers who speak English and possess technological skills India has temporarily become a land of opportunity
India’s Culture
The lack of documentation and strategy reports has given rise to misperceptions regarding Indian strategic thinking
Relationships & Communication
Indians prefer to do business with people they know.› Relationships are built upon trust and
respect.› Credibility is important when you are
first meeting a client. If possible, have a mutual friend introduce
you to gain credibility
Relationships & Communication
A quick handshake for male Indians is widely acceptable now days› Males should NOT initiate a handshake
with an Indian woman. She should initiate it.
› Business cards are given out right after the handshake
Relationships & Communication
TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF HOW THEIR NAME IS PRONOUNCED.› It is disrespectful to forget, misspell, or
mispronounce someone’s name.› Do not call them by their first name
unless permitted by the person.
Business Meetings
At the beginning of the first meeting, do not expect to jump right into business.› “Get-to-know-you” talk will take up
most, if not the whole meeting
Business Meetings
› When making small talk, stay away from personal questions like: Marital status Age Income Qualifications
› When listening, do not fold your arms or hands on hips- it is a sign of aggression
Business Meetings
Punctuality is admired and impressive
Do not be offended if your clients have not arrived by the scheduled time of the meeting.› They may think that your time is
“flexible”
Business Meetings
It is a good idea to confirm your meeting as they do get cancelled on short notice occasionally› Keep your schedule flexible in case of
having to reschedule.› Provide material ahead of time so that
they can familiarize themselves before the meeting.
Business Meetings
› When it is your turn to speak, be brief and concise. Get your point across, but do not be wordy. Do not RUSH either. Rushing through a meeting is a sign of
disrespect because you are meeting with friends now, not business acquaintances.
Business Meetings
When you address a number of people, always address the most important person first.› Hierarchy is very important› The casts system still plays a role in
business
Business Dress
Formal is more appropriate› Depending on weather, you may dress a
little more casual› Always formal on first meeting
Power Distance
Extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally.
Is highest on Power Distance in Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and compared to the rest of the world
World Rank: 56 India Rank: 77
Long Term Orientation
Because they are Long Term Oriented this can be the result of perseverant and Parsimonious
World Rank: 48 India Rank: 61
Masculinity
India is ranked as third for Masculinity in Hofstede Dimension
There is a large gap between the values of men and women. This generates a more competitive and assertive female population
World Rank: 51 Indian Rank: 56
Avoidance
They are very low on Uncertain Avoidance
The culture is more open to unstructured ideas and situations
There are fewer rules and regulations World Rank: 65 India Rank: 40
Closing Remarks
Questions or Comments?
Sources
http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/0/9/5/2/p109522_index.html
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=2002-18352-003
http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/5/2/7/3/p252732_index.html
Sources (Cont’d)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcC1R42Q8H8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnfuaxEgKBA
http://www.youtube.com/v/UnfuaxEgKBA&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/UnfuaxEgKBA&hl=en&fs=1
www.geert-hofstede.com
