Questions on Business Challenges and Etiquette - Paper Example

Change is inevitable, and human being undergoes varying changes in a lifetime. A child is born naive but as the child experience life and growth, learning as interaction take shape occur. During the process of growth and communication, identifiable changes come along amongst which are biological, cultural, environmental, behavioral among others. People receive and react to change in different ways, using the Likert scale one can identify the intensity of change and the feeling one has towards change. In my case for example, since the beginning of this year, my parent have been mentoring me on how to run a family business. My graduation is around the corner, and they believe that I got all the skills necessary to be a part of the family business. I have always wanted to be a photographer who travels around the world taking pictures, but I find a lot of logic in what my parents are telling me about the family business. I also have a lot of skill which I have acquired in my undergraduate years.

Using this scale below I will late may feelings towards the change

1. Threat0246810Opportunity

2. Holding on to the past0246810Reaching for the

future3. Immobilized 0246810 Activated

4. Rigid0246810 Versatile

5. A loss0246810A gain

6. Victim of change0246810Agent of change

7. Reactive0246810Proactive

8. Focused on the past 0246810 Focused on the future

9. Separate from change0246810Involved with change

10. Confused0246810Clear

How positive are your perceptions of this change?

The change from what I wanted to business has created positive and negative emotions at ago. I would say my attitude towards the developing is averagely positive. I have both the negatives and positive feelings toward change, and none of the opinions are extreme. In this case, I would say am confused.

Source: H. Woodward and S. Buchholz, Aftershock: Helping People through Corporate Change, p. 15.

2.1 Planning For a Global Career

China is one of the largest and most populated countries in the world. The geographic of the state, the rich history and the working spirit of the people is attractive. I have lived with Chinese neighbors, and the relationship they had with everyone is welcoming. For this reason and more, I have always wanted to visit china. To have a great visit, I first will explore the country cultures.

1. Is the culture individualistic or collectivist? China is a collectivist state

In China, people believe in working together for the greater good of the society. In China, communism is upheld, and individualism is condemned.

2. Is the power distance high or low? Power distance is high

In China power is organized in a hierarchy and every member of the state know his/her place. In this case, China can be rated as a high power distance index state.

3. Is uncertainty avoidance high or low? Low uncertainty avoidance

In low uncertainty avoidance countries, people are encouraged to remain focused for a standard course.

4. Is the country masculine or feminine in its orientation? Masculine

In China masculinity is standard. The men have the authority.

5. Is the time orientation short-term or long-term? Long-term

6. How did you arrive at your answers to the first five questions?

China has always been a destination state for me, and I have read a lot about the country on the internet, in the books I found in the library and magazines. Also, I have learned few things from my neighbors who are from China. Using the knowledge acquired about China and the readings of Cultural Dimensions by Geert Hofstede I can relate Hofstede cultural analysis dimension with academic expertise about China.

7. How will these characteristics affect business practices in the country you chose to investigate?

Cultural diversity is a reality every business that needs to expand across must be ready to study and be willing to incorporate. People behave differently in different areas, and for a company to be embraced in China, it must serve the interest of China as a country. For best business incorporation in China, the Chinese culture must be observed and applied. A business that fails to acknowledge them Chinese cultural dimension it is likely to collapse and receive negative feedback.

Self-Exercise: What Is Your Business Etiquette?

Business etiquette is one component of communication competence. Test your business etiquette by answering the following questions. After circling your response for each item, calculate your score by reviewing the correct answers listed at the bottom of this section. Next, use the norms at the end of the test to interpret your results.

1. The following is an example of a proper introduction: Ms Boss, Id like you to meet our client, Mr. Smith.

True False

2. If someone forgets to introduce you, you shouldnt introduce yourself; you should just let the conversation continue.

True False

3. If you forget someones name, you should keep talking and hope no one will notice. This way you dont embarrass yourself or the person you are talking to.

True False

4. When shaking hands, a man should wait for a woman to extend her hand.

True False

5. Who goes through a revolving door first?

a. Hostb. Visitor

6. It is all right to hold private conversations, either in person or on a cell phone in office bathrooms, elevators, and other public spaces.

True False

7. When two US businesspeople are talking to one another, the space between them should be approximately

a. 1.5 feet b. 3 feet c. 7 feet

8. Business casual attire requires socks for men and hose for women.

True False

9. To signal that you do not want a glass of wine, you should turn your wine glass upside down.

True False

10. If a call is disconnected, its the callers responsibility to redial.

True False

11. When using a speakerphone, you should tell the caller if there is anyone else in the room.

True False

12. You should change your voicemail message if you are going to be out of the office.

True False

Arbitrary Norms

Low business etiquette (04 correct): Consider buying an etiquette book or hiring a coach to help you polish your professional image.

Moderate business etiquette (58 correct): Look for a role model or mentor, and look for ways you can improve your business etiquette.

High business etiquette (912 correct): Good for you. You should continue to practice good etiquette and look for ways to maintain your professional image.

Correct Answers:

False. Clients always take precedence, and people with the greatest authority or importance should be introduced first.

False. You should introduce yourself. Say something like My name is _____. I dont believe weve met.

False. Its Ok to admit you cant remember. Say something like My mind just went blank, your name is? Or offer your name and wait for the other person to respond with his or hers.

False. Business etiquette has become gender neutral.

a. Host. This enables him or her to lead their guest to the meeting place.

False. Not only is it rude to invade public areas with your conversation, but you never know who might hear details of your business transaction or personal life.

b. 3 feet. Close than this is an invasion of personal space. Farther away forces people to raise their voices. Because communication varies from country to country, you should also inform yourself about cultural differences.

True. An exception to this would be if your company holds and event at the beach or the pool.

False. Just wave your hand over it when asked, or say No thank you.

True. The person who initiated the call should redial if the connection is broken.

True. If you must use a speakerphone, you should inform all parties who are present.

True. You should record a greeting such as Im out of the office today, March 12. If you need help, please dial ___ at extension

SOURCE: This test was adapted from material contained in M Brody, Test Your Etiquette, Training & Development, February 2002, pp 6466.

Self-Exercise: Where Is Your Locus of Control?

Julian B. Rotter is the developer of a forced-choice 29-item scale for measuring an individuals degree of internal and external control. This I-E test is widely used. The following sample items are from an earlier version of the test and not in the final version. Put an X by your preferred option from each pair of statements and follow the scoring instructions below:

x I more strongly believe that x Or?

x Promotions are earned through hard work and persistence. Making a lot of money is largely a matter of getting the right breaks.

The number of divorces indicates that more and more people are not trying to make their marriages work. x Marriage is largely a gamble.

x When I am right I can convince others. It is silly to think that one can really change another persons basic attitudes.

x In my case the grades I make are the results of my own efforts, luck has little or nothing to do with it. Sometimes I feel that I have little to do with the grades I get.

People like me can change the course of world affairs if we make ourselves heard. x It is only wishful thinking to believe that one can really influence what happens in society at large.

x I am the master of my fate. A great deal that happens to me is probably a matter of chance.

x Getting along with people is a skill that must be practiced. It is almost impossible to figure out how to please some people.

Scoring: Score 1 point for each X in the left-hand column.

Arbitrary norms for this exercise are: Internal locus of control = 57.

External locus of control = 13;

Balanced internal and external locus of control = 4;

Internal locus of control = 57.

SOURCE: Julian B Rotter, Internal ControlExternal Control. Reprinted with permission from Psychology Today,

6.1 Task Goal Attribute Questionnaire

Personal experiences of goal setting a scale from

1 (agree completely) 2 3 4 5 6 7 (disagree completely)

4 1. I am allowed a high degree of influence in the determination of my work/school objectives.

___5__ 2. I should not have too much difficulty in reaching my work/school objectives; they appear to be fairly easy.

____1_ 3. I receive a considerable amount of feedback concerning my quantity of output on the job/in school.

___6__ 4. Most of my coworkers and peers try to outperform one another on their assigned work/school goals.

____1_ 5. My work/school objectives are very clear and specific; I know exactly what my job/assignment is.

__2___ 6. My work/school objectives will require a great deal of effort from me to complete them.

___1_ 7. I really have little voice in the formulation of my work/school objectives.

__7___ 8. I am provided with a great deal of feedback and guidance on the quality of my work.

___7__ 9. I think my work/school objectives are ambiguous and unclear.

__4___ 10. It will take a high degree of skill and know-how on my part to attain fully my work/school objectives.

__3___ 11. The setting of my work/school goals is pretty much under my own control.

__7___ 12. My boss/instructors seldom let(s) me know how well I am doing on my work toward my work/school objectives.

___2__ 13. A very competitive atmosphere exists among my peers and me with regard to attaining our respective work/school goals; we all want to do better than anyone else in attaining our goals.

___1__ 14. I understand fully which of my work/school objectives are more important than others; I have a clear sense of priorities on these goals.

__7___ 15. My work/school objectives are quite difficult to attain.

__3___ 16. My supervisor/instructors usually ask(s) for my opinions and thoughts when determining my work/school objectives.

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