Think of examples from your own cultural experiences what were the problems and what did you do about them

VIETNAM GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOURTON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 001196 Team/Pair: 15 Team/Pair members: 1 NGUYỄN NGỌC BÍCH NHI 020

VIETNAM GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOUR

TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

001196

Team/Pair: 15 Team/Pair members:

1) NGUYỄN NGỌC BÍCH NHI 02000786 2) NGÔ BÌNH KHÁNH VY 02000856 Group: 3

Lecturer in charge: NGUYỄN PHẠM THANH THẢO

Ho Chi Minh City, December 2023

VIETNAM GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOUR

TON DUC THANG UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

001196

SITUATION 1

Team/Pair: 15 Team/Pair members:

3) NGUYỄN NGỌC BÍCH NHI 02000786 4) NGÔ BÌNH KHÁNH VY 02000856 Group: 3

Lecturer in charge: NGUYỄN PHẠM THANH THẢO

Ho Chi Minh City, December 2023

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES DIVISION OF BUSINESS ENGLISH BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

001196 MARKING SHEET

No Student’s

A.

Report

(8.0pts)

B.

Individual tasks

(2.0pts)

Total scores (10.0pts) In

figures In words

1 02000786 Nguyễn Ngọc Bích Nhi

2 02000856 Ngô Bình Khánh Vy

Examiner’ comments (if any): ………

………

………

………

………

Examiner 1

(Signature and full name)

Examiner 2

(Signature and full name)

DETAILED ASSESSMENT

A REPORT (8.0pts)

1 Format and organization (1.0pt) /1.0pt

2 Content (5.0pts)

2.1 Introduction /0.5pt

2.2 Situation Analysis /3.0pts 2.3 Conclusion and recommendations /1.0pt 2.4 References and Appendix /0.5pt

3.Language usage (2.0pts) /2.0pt

Subtotal …………/8.0pts

B INDIVIDUAL TASKS (2.0pts)

No Student’s

ID No Full name

Specific task description (1.0pt)

Unity, coherence

&

Language usage (1.0pt)

Sub-Total (2pts)

1 02000786 Nguyễn Ngọc Bích Nhi

2 02000856 Ngô Bình Khánh Vy

SITUATION 1

Having a job in a global business can give you the opportunity to travel the world

It can also mean having the chance of embarrassing yourself if you're not familiar with the rules of a foreign culture When you work with people in different countries, follow their lead and ask for their help You might also consider hiring a knowledgeable local guide who can give you tips on how to blend in

1 Think of examples from your own cultural experiences What were the problems and what did you do about them?

2 What cultural differences have you experienced when holidaying in other

countries?

3 What aspects of the culture in your country might be difficult for a foreign visitor

to understand?

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES DIVISION OF BUSINESS ENGLISH BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

001196

TASK DELEGATION

1 02000786 Nguyễn Ngọc

Bích Nhi

- Introduce the topic and specify each part, chapter, or main point that will

be developed in the report

- Present some cultural differences that have been experienced when holidaying in other countries

- Specify some aspects of the culture

in our country that might be difficult for a foreign visitor to understand

- Provide a summary of what was presented in the report and suggest some recommendations for the sake

of the company involved

2 02000856 Ngô Bình

Khánh Vy

- Research a global business

- Write the the background of the company and summarize the situation

- Take examples from our cultural experiences, provide the problems and solutions

- Present aspects of the culture in our country that might be difficult for foreign visitors to understand

- Conclude the report and give some recommendations for the sake of the company involved

- Format the report

INDIVIDUAL TASKS

1 NGUYEN NGOC BICH NHI

These are some of the duties I have accomplished after discussing our report

Firstly, I went over the contents of each section and the structure of the report Next,

my coworker and I split up the sections into which each of us would do the research and compose the material I was in charge of finding and researching a number of foreign companies suitable for the topic of cultural differences, especially in business, before proceeding with the introduction in the report Then, I gave a brief overview of the report's purpose and outlined each section, chapter, and major idea that will be covered in the introduction

Secondly, I presented in detail some cultural differences, such as Personal Space Expectations, High and Low Context, and Business Etiquette that have been experienced when holidaying in other countries, so that the readers can understand and absorb them consistently if they tend to travel around the world Next, I specified some aspects of the culture in our country, such as language barriers and the “keeping face” culture in business, that might be difficult for a foreign visitor to understand Those details also help broaden our horizons, as well as those of native speakers, about the cultural varieties of this beautiful Vietnamese country

Finally, I provided a summary of what was presented in the report, and additionally, I offered some doable suggestions for enhancing intercultural dialogue and cooperation or utilizing cultural diversity to the company's advantage

These assignments served as a reflection of my duties and my knowledge of the subject of cultural differences in the workplace

2 NGO BINH KHANH VY

The tasks that I performed will be described through the following paragraphs Firstly, I provided a brief overview of the purpose and scope of the report, as well as the main research question or hypothesis with my partner I also explained how the report was organized and what each section would be covered Then, my partner and I divided the sections into which each individual would research and write the content I was in charge of researching a global business and writing content for the background of the company and a summary of the situation section of the introduction

Besides, I was responsible for the contents of the examples from our own cultural experiences, the problems, and what we did about them I used personal stories to illustrate how the culture influenced our behavior, values, and beliefs I also offered challenges or conflicts we faced due to cultural differences and how we resolved them or learned from them Moreover, I specified some aspects of the culture in their country that might be difficult for a foreign visitor to understand such as the midday nap culture I identified and explained some of the cultural norms, practices, or expectations that were unique or distinctive to our country

Next, I restated the main findings or conclusions of the report I also proposed some actionable recommendations on how to improve cross-cultural communication or collaboration, or how to leverage cultural diversity for the benefit of the company Finally, I formatted the report according to the required style, and guidelines and ensured that it was clear, coherent, and consistent

These tasks demonstrate my responsibilities and my understanding of the topic of cultural differences in business

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the company 1

1.2 Summary of the situation 1

1.3 Introduction to the topic 1

1.4 Specification of main points 2

II SITUATION ANALYSIS 2

2.1 Examples of our own cultural experiences 2

2.1.1 Our own cultural experiences 2

2.1.2 Problems and solutions 3

2.2 Cultural differences that we have experienced when holidaying in other countries 4

2.2.1 Personal Space Expectations 4

2.2.2 High and Low Context 4

2.2.3 Business Etiquette 4

2.3 Aspects of the culture in Vietnam might be difficult for foreign visitors to understand 5

2.3.1 Harmony 5

2.3.2 Language barriers 5

2.3.3 “Keeping face” culture in business 6

2.3.4 Midday nap culture 6

III CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 7

3.1 Conclusion 7

3.2 Recommendations 7

I INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the company

Unilever is a global consumer goods company that produces and sells a wide range

of products such as foods, beverages, personal care, household, and health products The company was formed in 1930 by the merger of two European companies Unilever has developed to become one of the leading and most successful consumer goods companies in the world, with over 400 brands In addition, Unilever has a global presence, with operations in over 190 countries across 5 continents such as Africa, America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East employing more than 12.000 people and running more than 300 factories Unilever’s vision is to make sustainable living commonplace and to create a better future for people and the planet Unilever is committed to improving the health and well-being of its consumers, reducing its environmental impact, enhancing its social responsibility, and supporting its employees and communities

1.2 Summary of the situation

As Research and Development employees, we have worked for Unilever Plc in Vietnam for 3 years When we work at the company, we are allowed to participate in high-level human resource training programs abroad and interact with many senior staff

in other countries Besides, we also have the opportunity to experience world culture such

as the values, beliefs, practices, and customs of people in different countries. 

1.3 Introduction to the topic

Understanding cultures in different countries is crucial for people, especially those who intend to work or travel elsewhere It helps us learn about new cultures and broadens our perspective on business if we work at a foreign company, giving us the opportunity to explore and reflect on ourselves Besides, having a job in a global business also gives us the opportunity to learn practical skills and how to deal with tricky problems about the organization's culture

However, it can also be a source of embarrassment if we are not aware of the cultural norms and etiquette of different countries That is why this report will provide some cultural experiences when we work with people from other cultures

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1.4 Specification of main points

This report includes three main parts: examples of cultural experiences in other countries as well as problems encountered and how they were resolved; cultural differences that we have experienced when holidaying in other countries; and some aspects of your country's culture that might be difficult for foreign visitors to understand

II SITUATION ANALYSIS

2.1 Examples of our own cultural experiences

2.1.1 Our own cultural experiences

2.1.1.1 Greetings in Japan

Last year, we had a business trip to Japan for a meeting about cooperation in research and product development It was our first time visiting Japan, so we were very excited and curious about the culture and the people When we got to the office of the company, we were greeted by a receptionist who asked me to wait in the lobby She bowed slightly when she spoke to us We bowed back and thanked her

A few minutes later, a man came to the lobby and introduced himself as Mr.Tanaka, the manager of the company He bowed to us and said Hajimemashite" (Nice to meet you)

He then led me to a meeting room where four other people were waiting They all stood up and bowed to us as we entered We bowed to them and said my name They all said, "Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu" (Please treat me well) We also repeated the same phrase and smiled. 

2.1.1.2 Cultural Barriers at the Negotiation Table

As Research & Development staff, our leader assigned us to negotiate with clients in Vietnam, the United States, and India to market our products We were confident that our products would attract them We had great success with the clients in Vietnam and the United States They were impressed by the features of our products They agreed to sign contracts with us and distribute our products However, we had a terrible failure with the Indian clients They showed no interest in our products They turned down our offers and

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left We were shocked and disappointed by our failures Like the USA, we thought we were making good use of our time

2.1.2 Problems and solutions

2.1.2.1 Greetings in Japan

We were amazed by the office culture in Japan, which was very different from Vietnam, where we only shake hands and say our names to show respect to our partners

We wondered and were surprised by that Then we ask our friends in Japan as guide for explaining the Japanese culture to us

After being interpreted more about it, we realized that bowing in Japan is a way to express respect, gratitude and apology The angle and the length of the bow vary depending on the situation and the person being bowed to The three main types of bows are: Eshaku (a slight bow of about 15 degrees), Keirei (a deep bow of about 30 degrees) and Saikeirei (a very deep bow of about 45 degrees) We should use Keirei or Saikeirei when we meet a partner to show respect

We also learned some basic phrases to use when meeting and parting with Japanese people We think that knowing these things helped me to make a good impression and to build rapport We hope to go back to Japan soon and to do more business with them

2.1.2.2 Cultural Barriers at the Negotiation Table

We lost a crucial deal in India and sought our leader’s advice Our leader told us that

we had been too hasty in the negotiations Cross-cultural dealmaking tends to have poorer outcomes than those within the same culture Our leader advised us to bring diverse perspectives to the table, which could also lead to potential misunderstandings

We realized that we failed because we did not view others’ behaviors, values, and beliefs from their cultural perspective Therefore, we researched the customs and behaviors of different cultures and understood the reasons behind them For instance, we learned that our Indian counterpart would have preferred a slower pace with more chances

to build rapport While using time efficiently is generally valued in the United States, in India, there is often a greater emphasis on establishing relationships early in the process

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As a result, as this business negotiator has noticed, cultural differences can pose obstacles

to reaching a consensus in negotiation

2.2 Cultural differences that we have experienced when holidaying in other countries

2.2.1 Personal Space Expectations

Divergent cultural norms about personal space and physical touch are examples of cultural diversity in the workplace Rather than shaking hands, many Europeans and South Americans traditionally give a business associate a kiss on both cheeks when they welcome them Other cultures have no trouble standing shoulder to shoulder with their peers or putting themselves 12 or fewer inches away from the person they are speaking to, whereas Americans feel most comfortable keeping their distance from business associates

 2.2.2 High and Low Context

Different layers of context are used by different civilizations to communicate Low-context cultures—those found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe—prefer to make judgments swiftly and require little to no justification for commands and requests The majority of people in Eastern and South American high-context cultures need and anticipate far more explanations about commands and instructions Companies that use a low-context communication style provide all the information in the message, whereas those from a high-context communication culture expect and supply more background with their messages

2.2.3 Business Etiquette

Leaders in business typically conduct meetings in various ways In the United States, greetings, handshakes, and introductions are customarily exchanged before a meeting begins However, in China, it's possible that you'll be asked to present your business partners with a gift, and the senior member should be seated at the head of the table When greeting one another, Belgians typically give each other three air kisses: one

on the right, one on the left, and one back on the right

As general guidance, research the customary business etiquette before you meet with your counterparts so you can be as prepared as possible You may still not fully grasp

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