Category: international business

christianity, competitive advantage, faith, in Christ, inspiration, international business, life, love, of God, psychology, relationship

My Four Years After Opting Out

chicpencil

In mid-2013, after 15 years of working in the Information Technology (IT) Industry, I decided to cool off from my solutions advisor role and take a much-needed break from the corporate world. Like the majority of  working adult population, I was working non-stop right after I achieved my Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree last 1997. It was my belief back then that having a full-time job is what I need in order to support my family, paying my rent, and settle my debts and bills. I can’t stop working and I have to climb the corporate ladder and that includes dealing with office politics.

And so it was, until 2012.

After I settled down and got married in September of 2012, like many high-achieving women in the workforce, family care was placed in my top priority. A month after my wedding, I was contemplating of “opting out”. If I continue my corporate role involving frequent travels, I believe my marriage may not work out. It is my personal conviction that the first year of marriage is highly critical as it’s the era of adjustments, understanding, compromise, and acceptance. I’ve learned it from my past failed relationships due to my lack of “quantity” of time. My ex-manager Ashok was surprised when I handed my resignation letter; I was saddened too, as he was a good and caring boss.

Leaving the corporate world especially when it’s your dream company is considerably heart-breaking. But weighing the situation, facing a failed marriage will be more traumatic.

I am considered blessed as after leaving SAP, I was offered to be a flexible delivery consultant by Claylogixtech Malaysia. I didn’t realize that it’s the kind of flexible time focused on project implementations and customer’s maintenance with a little of presales role is the type of  spur I needed at that point.

Me and my husband tried to conceive. However, factoring the age and realizing blood RH incompatibilities lead us to the practical decision that having kids on our own will be dependent on God’s will unto our marriage. Somehow rather, it lessened the marriage stress and just be ready to respond to family relatives questions during gatherings. We belong to the norm of Asian culture that having our own children (meaning, own flesh and blood) is a must during the marriage.

Now, here are some of my practical derivatives of life lessons learned in the last four years:

  • Time management

Time is the most precious commodity that we shouldn’t afford to waste. As I was surrounded by humongous amount of choices,  I saw myself doing all things at once since you know, my own time is in my hands. I had a hard time finishing the projects that I started. It’s definite that some trusts were broken due to failing to deliver. I realized that when you are working for yourself, it is utmost critical to learn to prioritize, delegate minor tasks that I feel isn’t worth my time, and of course, learn to say no to those requests or business opportunities that isn’t my expertise or I’m lacking of knowledge. When you’re in your 40s, it’s best to focus on those activities that will value your time and self.

  • Every penny counts

Being prudent is one of key factors that will determine a person’s success. When I was paid every month and bonuses coming in, I put in savings for the rainy days. Though at times there’s that want to overspend to satisfy the thirst for shopping branded items, I still make it a point to have some money in the bank. Well, that attitude came handy in the last four years. I had the courage to leave the corporate world as I didn’t have home mortgage to pay, we decided to rent room instead of whole flat, personal and credit card loans were manageable.

So, being prudent served me well in the long run. The only change I had to do is to shop less and not to be mindful of the fashion trend. I slowly changed my wardrobe to less clothes but quality pieces.

  • More Friends

It is normal to disconnect with corporate friends when you’re no longer working full time. I realized my circle of friends have increased. As you venture entrepreneurship, you will be surrounded by fellow entrepreneurs just the same. I still keep in touch with ex-colleagues through Whatsapp and social media; having coffee and dinner from time to time. Basically, you will have mixture of friends, from ex-colleagues to new found friendships and connections.

  • Be grateful

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  ~Matthew 5: 3 NIV

My spirituality deepened during the last four years. I’ve finally ventured to one thing I’ve been wanting to do since I was 26 years old. That is, to serve God. Every year, me and husband conducts outreach program(s) to Philippines. We’re privileged enough to be supported by our church, Moriah Assembly of God, to be missionaries for a month to the northern part of Thailand. It’s not an easy journey but God is truly awesome! So we’ve named our business EL Hannora (which means Awesome God).

Serving God has been my most rewarding decision.

I will always be grateful to God, my hubby Gnex, my family and in laws, friends, biz partners, customers and Mr. Hew Keng Woon, and the staff of Claylogixtech Malaysia and Positive Domain.

Jumping out of the corporate band wagon is scary to death. There’s a gigantic worries and uncertainties because it is a make it or break it moment. With the binge of time, we cannot deny the unspoken norm that you have a slim chance of getting back your position and compensation when you hit 40s and above. The workforce competition is higher and employers prefer the older millennials due to focus, energy, and drive.

Opting out from the corporate and workforce isn’t easy. You will need tons of courage and faith to get by. However, if you survive the adversities, it’s one of the unforgettable milestones in your journey of life. I do not know what the future holds. However, one thing I can say is when you serve God, everything is uncertain. That’s where your FAITH kicks in. If God can feed the birds in the sky, why not us? It only takes us our humility and obedience.

Here are some of the motivational songs that helped me get by for all the ups and downs of life.

‘Til next time. Au revoir.

business, international business, OneCoin, society, technology

Why OneCoin? A Cryptocurrency Analysis

chicpencil

In March 2016 I received an invitation from my cousin Dolly in Austria introducing me to the world of cryptocurrency. Back then I merely know BitCoin (in short, I didn’t buy it in 2009). So my cousin shared some information about cryptocurrency and the product that she endorses – OneCoin.

At first, we were reluctant to buy in any cryptocurrency but then again, who knows, this industry seems to be worthwhile looking into. So, my husband Gnex and I, discussed and decided to give it a try. Few months after, I was approached by few friends to join the cryptocurrencies they endorsed. Somehow it made me realized that cryptocurrency industry seem to be gaining momentum and I only have a tad knowledge about it. So I decided to study what cryptocurrency is all about and how it can help or probably change the future of finance. I studied various cryptocurrencies in the market and that includes OneCoin. I’ve observed and studied other digital currencies and we decided to stick to OneCoin.

OneCoin is a cryptocurrency that uses blockchain technology. A blockchain technology is somewhat a digital ledger that uses hash algorithm requiring verification and recognition from the cluster of computers involved in identifying, approving and recording the transaction. Imagine yourself going to the bank and perform over the counter transactions. Before you start your banking transaction, the teller will need to verify your identification (it is called the Know Your Customer – KYC procedure) and your account number. Now, in digital cryptocurrency, you do not need the bank tellers or the bank, as long as you know your account, you can perform your financial transactions. The blockchain mechanism will perform the identification, hand-shake, approval and journal your completed financial transaction.

What are digital currencies used for?

Digital currencies or cryptocurrencies target markets are online payments, global remittances, and money transfers. Most of which deals with banking and financial services. There will be upcoming markets for cryptocurrencies, only if this method of payments will be accepted by merchants or probably banks.

                                                                            Online payments

There are ginormous digital currencies in the market. All of is which is lead by BitCoin. However, BitCoin itself still have some flaws such as anonymity. Combine with its high selling price, it’s not wise to put your money on BitCoin. In the end, consumers resorted to searching for alternatives.

I will not write about the shortcomings of other digital cryptocurrencies, this article will focus on my analysis of OneCoin using SWOT method to prove why OneCoin is worthwhile looking into. I’m not paid by OneCoin to blog, this article does not contain incites from the brand. I’m merely expressing my opinions and choose to share my understanding of the value proposition of OneCoin as a technology and OneLife as a company and why we’ve chosen OneCoin.

                                                                          Grow your coins

 

STRENGTHS

  • OneCoin creates value by educating its members. While the trading or OneCoin exchange is the buzz of the internet, OneLife’s offering is educational packages. OneLife’s goal is to educate the vast majority of humanity who have none or minimal knowledge about finance and trading. When you buy an education package, you will receive the corresponding number of tokens which you can trade or “mine” to get the cryptocurrency coin – OneCoin. I believed this is one of the company’s strengths as it gives the members the audacity to decide for themselves as to whether take higher risks or invest with a calculated risk involved.
  • OneCoin is a closed platform. Coming from an information technology (IT) background for 17 years, often dealing with projects, I often faced debates whether to choose an infrastructure of open source platform or that of the enterprise. Open platform has its own advantages I agree. However, my main concern for open platforms is that it is prone to code changes by the community. Simply put it, if it is an open platform, it is prone to abuse by the dubious folks from the web. Remember, cryptocurrency is all digital, it might be difficult to trace frauds in an open platform. You do not want the blockchain of your coins to be hacked and later find out your money has gone to waste. A closed platform indicates proprietary rights to the code involved in the blockchain. Having a closed proprietary code for blockchain protects the members from fraudulent transactions and hackers. It is easier to trace as OneCoin maintains its own codes.
  • Know Your Customer (KYC) is important. The digital currency industry still doesn’t appear to have regulatory controls. For us, know your customer (KYC) procedure is important. This is to protect the trading members from transacting with criminals, terrorists, and dark webs. If your digital currency of choice does not employ KYC procedure (completely anonymous), there’s a likelihood that you might get involved in dubious transactions. In OneCoin, you won’t be able to perform financial transactions without the company approving your KYC documents. In short, the company checks and verifies the identifications of its members. Therefore, the members’ financial transactions can be audited and regulatory compliance can be implemented.
  • Transaction Transparency. I am not sure how many cryptocurrencies do this, but OneCoin’s claim of embedding your KYC documents in the blockchain transaction is what I believed sets OneCoin above its competitors. Remember that cyber crimes keep on increasing through viruses, trojans, phishings, and malwares. Currently, another cyber crime emerged called RANSOMWARE. Ransomware happens when cyber criminals or hackers are able to access your computers and files when you click on email attachments or click on website links. When the cyber criminal or hacker is able to gain full control of your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a message asking for money or a fully anonymous cryptocurrency as a ransom. Pretty much like your computer or digital device has been kidnapped and you have to pay to ransom your critical data. This is not to smear the reputation of BitCoin but since BitCoin now have more vending machines (ATM), highly valued, and fully anonymous, it is the most wanted cryptocurrency by the cyber criminals, money launderers, and various sanctioned activities.
  • OneCoin’s promised of 120 billion coins. People would find this claim ridiculous and crazy. However, bear in the mind that the successful businesses started with ridiculous and crazy ideas. Cryptocurrencies and trading employ the law of supply and demand. Having more coins can indicate the company’s sustainability of providing more coins in the longer period of time. In this way, the value of the coins will not bubble and will not become volatile. It is still a caveat that there’s no guarantee. OneCoin’s success, in my opinion, will come from the hard work of the founder, the management, and the members.
  • OneCoin lets you build your direct selling business. The human behavior is to share what appears to be something valuable, isn’t it? If you are looking for business opportunity through direct selling (network marketing), OneLife provides bonuses through referrals. You can become OneLife’s Independent Marketing Associate (IMA). However, do note that being IMA is optional. Meaning, if you do not want to participate in the bonus schemes, you can sign up and buy the educational package excluding the IMA.
  • The Founder and CEO is visionary. The company’s strength and sustainability will come from the founder’s vision and the company’s mission. I have a little knowledge of Dr. Ruja Ignatova’s background, so I did a search of a worthy video to share in order to understand her visions of the company. Here’s her early interview from MLM News:

  • OneLife’s Corporate Social Responsibility. I believe in companies who gives back to society. OneLife has its social arm in doing charities to the needy communities.

 

WEAKNESS

  • OneCoin is accused of a SCAM and a Ponzi Scheme in the internet.  Search OneCoin over the internet (regardless of search-engine) and the first couple of result lines are headed as OneCoin is a scam. Next, it is a Ponzi scheme. Now, remember that Ponzi schemes and scams refer to the non-delivery of promised product or service(s). When you put your money in OneCoin, what you’re buying are the educational package(s) and not the tokens or coins. The IMAs are selling the said educational packages, or OneTablet (Digital device). If the IMA sells you the tokens or coins, it violates the IMA terms and conditions. If you feel that OneCoin was misrepresented, you can file your complaint by sending an email correspondence to support@onecoin.eu so an investigation can be done. OneLife as direct selling company has thousands (or probably millions) of IMAs. Therefore, it is pretty important to know your IMA before signing up. Remember, your IMA will be your future business partner should you decide to become an IMA when signing up with OneCoin.
  • OneCoin is a fairly new company. The company is less than 2 years old as of this writing. However, OneLife’s member is more than 2 million in numbers (according to OneLife’s website). Definitely, there’s a risk when you join OneLife considering the age of the company, but having more than 2 million members somehow signals guarantee that OneLife will stay in the business for a longer time. How long? No one can guarantee you that. It is of utmost important that you understand the risk when joining or supporting a business regardless of which kind.
  • OneCoin’s Main Headquarter is in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yup, it is in Europe, particularly in Russia. They are in different timezone compared to us in Asia. OneLife has 2 more offices – Hong Kong and Dubai. In my opinion, it is a good move by the company to ensure the members the company’s presence in Asia and the Middle East. You have to ask your IMA for OneLife’s countries of operations. If you belong to a country where OneLife doesn’t have operations, it is always advisable to take caution as there may not be consumer protection in my opinion.
  • OneCoin is only traded in OneCoin Exchange. In my opinion, this is a weakness but it’s also a strength. I’m guessing the reason behind OneCoin not present in the public exchanges is to avoid the bubble in the coin value. Law of supply and demand: The lesser the supply, the greater the demand. It’s pretty much what happened to BitCoin. At some point, BitCoin value reached US 1000+. It bubbled up, it also bubbled down. If you’re going to check the cryptocurrency exchanges, there’s a big gap between the price of BitCoin and the rest of the digital coins. It creates challenges to the lower valued coins. If you buy a digital coin of US 0.10 value, what’s the probability that the value will rise? And for how long? OneLife has a different vision in my opinion. A company with long term vision does not need to hurry to be traded publicly. In my opinion, OneLife as a company aims to be in the business in the longer term.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

  • More offerings from OneLife. OneLife’s offering started with educational packages. Then followed by OneTablet. The company signals more business opportunity and a larger platform. We will have to wait and see what are OneLife’s future offerings and acquisitions. It is important for the members to keep abreast with the company news and updates. You can check with your business partners for more information. You are also advised to subscribe to OneLife’s YouTube channel to listen and understand where the company is heading.

 

THREATS

  • More and more cryptocurrencies and business models.  It is definite that more and more cryptocurrencies will emerge. It’s good news for consumers, it means more choices. Different business models such as direct selling (network marketing) will also come up with efforts to boost up the revenue of the other 600+ cryptocurrencies of lower value than BitCoin. Middle companies whose aims are to sell various coins will come into play as well. If you’re a current IMA or contemplating of signing up as one, I recommend that you read the terms and conditions of OneLife. Avoid the scenario of “conflict of interest”. OneLife takes serious actions on IMAs involved in such mentioned activities.

 

LAST WORDS

Some advisory;

  1. Before joining any direct selling business, it is important that you understand the product. This is to avoid mistakes in the future when for some reason you change your mind. Check as well, if there are “cooling period”. Cooling period is the number of days that you can decide to cancel your subscription or purchase(s) without incurring penalty.

  2. It is the IMA’s responsibility to respond to your queries. If you have some questions, list it beforehand and get clarifications before signing up.

  3. When purchasing an educational package, ensure that you have made calculated risk. Meaning, only buy the educational package that you can afford to loose.

  4. Being involved in cryptocurrency business, the risk can be considered high. As always take caution in deciding the level of risk that you want to make.

  5. It is important not to join in haste. OneCoin maybe a good news but remember to evaluate whether you need cryptocurrency in your current and future affairs. If you’re spiritual type of person, I recommend that you pray about it first before giving it a yes.

     

A great news!

OneCoin is currently on bonus mode. The coins that you received including the coins that you are still waiting, will be doubled this coming October 1st 2016! Also, when you place your tokens into mining before October 1st, the expected number of coins will doubled too! We feel this is something you want to check into.

My husband is a registered IMA. You can sign up for free without obligation (no credit card information needed). You will only need to pay when you want to activate your account to receive your educational package access and its corresponding tokens.

Click here to sign up free and understand more of OneCoin before fully deciding to join.

 

Til next time. Au revoir.

business, culture, international business

The World Is Flat — Rumblings Of My Mind

chicpencil

When you first travel outside your country, how was the feeling?

Were you nervous about your travel? Excited? Or, confused?

Well, it really depends on the objective of your travel. : )

If your travel is purely of holidays, visiting relatives, loved ones, or even exploration, the feeling can be much of excitement.

However, if your travel is because you are working to another country as an expatriate, well, the feelings would end up as a mixed emotions with a combination of:

  1. Excitement — Yes! I am going to work in a foreign land!
  2. Nervous whether the people you will be working with can tag along with you — Will they be warm with me? or Cold?
  3. Confused because of your loved ones whom you may have to leave behind either temporarily or in a long term basis — Can I really make this or break this?

During our school days, we were informed that the globe represents the world.

Prior working as an expat, what we know is that the world is round and the earth is revolving in the sun.

When you become an expat, your views about the world will start to change. And the first challenge that you will face is –> CULTURAL SHOCK.

Culture shock is that sense of feeling when you relocate to a foreign country and you are loosing sight and feelings of those familiar surroundings, sounds, food, smells, and smiles that you were accustomed. In brief sense, you are moving out of your culture’s comfort zones.

The Dutch organization sociologist Geert Hosftede (who is famous for Hofstede’s Culture Dimensions) has another model for Culture Shock.

And, relating to this Culture Shock Model, below is my analysis based on my own experience:

Phase 1: EUPHORIA

When I first relocated to another country four years ago, the sense of excitement is sky rocket high. All I can think of is that I am now a part of the globalized economy and I am helping not only my family but also my country because of the remittances each month that I am going to send across. And, being part of the globalized world, I have the capability to discover other countries and make friends with people belonging to different culture.

Phase 2: CULTURE SHOCK

When work started, the feelings started to change. My colleagues has different working attitude as compared to what I have used to. As the work stress is increasing, the feeling of being alone in a foreign land starts to sink in. Frictions with colleagues is unescapable. I started to look for and hang around with my fellow countrymen in order to fulfill that feeling that I got an ally against the other nationalities. Homesickness is an endless battle.

Phase 3: ACCULTURATION

After three months working in the foreign land, I started to hang around with my colleagues. Every Friday we usually go out to grab some drinks (most of the time English or German beers). I started to accept our cultural differences and showed respect to other nationalities and their religions. I started to adopt the host country’s ways of living but still preserving my own values.

Phase 4: STABLE STATE

Following the 3 months adjustment, the flexibility towards other people and their culture started to established inside me. After six months working in the same company, the management has decided that I will be relocated to another country. And so it does and I accepted the relocation. I worked to another country for another period of 2 years. After 2 years, the management has decided that I will be relocated again. Work relocations have made me a flexible expat.

 

    Photo taken at Hall of Science, Queens New York, USA last 2005.

When I was young all I know is that the globe miniature that I have in my room is the world. After I relocated to various countries meeting people, knowing their cultures and their religions, my thinking of about the shape of the world has change tremendously.

By knowing other people’s culture and working with them, the WORLD HAS BECOME FLAT.

We are all equal regardless of where we come from. There is always challenges and differences in the working life because of culture but it can always be remediated with the expat’s flexibility and understanding of the host country’s culture.

Citations:

Til next time. Au revoir.

business, culture, international business, strategic alliance

You And Me Against The World

chicpencil

One key aspect of any business is relationship. A firm can have an excellent products and offerings but without partners or alliances, it is impossible for the business to grow locally or global.

Similar to subsidiaries, strategic partners or alliances greatly contributes to the multinational firm’s revenues. It is easy to knock-the-door of your prospect business partner. Once the door is opened, discussions can be done. However, until the biggest hindrance of any business relationship is overcome, the strength of relationship is undefined.

What is the biggest hindrance?

COMMITMENT AND TRUST.

Having been working on the side of the principal (or the manufacturer of the products and offerings) company, here’s the applicability based on my personal experience:

Phase 1: GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Like any business transaction, alliances start with ‘getting to know each other’ phase. In this phase, we meet our potential partners and present our products and offerings to the market. We identify how we can create and add values to the prospect partner’s current offerings to their existing customers and requirements. It is also in this phase that we demonstrate and prove our technology’s capability and what are our competitive advantages against our competitors. It is also in this phase that both parties goals and objectives are reviewed and checked if there are any differences. Selecting the partner or alliance is critical.

Phase 2: COMMITMENT

Commitment is reached when the prospect partner promised or give the commitment to allocate resources for the partnership. A clear indication of their attitudinal commitment. It is considered to be a great leap once this phase is reached as resource allocation entails manpower cost which will be shouldered by the prospect partner. In this phase, we normally conduct partner enablement seminars and workshops (to show the fair exchange) in order to kick-start the technology transfer. The partner enablement program also provides the product and solution positioning when going to the market. Most of the time, the prospect partners already have deals in their pipeline before we even reached this state. As such, the pricing, negotiations and partner margins are very critical in this phase as part of the calculative commitment. If pricing and margins are not lucrative enough and there is no demand of our products from the market, it is unlikely that the prospect will give commitment.

Phase 3: TRUST

Expectations are very important in partnership. And strategic alliances follows the credibility trust (also reputation based) whereby our partners (whether distributor or reseller) have their annual quota to meet in exchange to our fair exchange commitment to them. We also expect the benevolent trust from our partners whereby if we are the agreed product to be positioned for a certain sales deal, the partner will remain true to its promise and will not turn to our competitors.

Phase 4: MAINTENANCE

Maintaining the alliance is a long term process for both parties. The following are key factors:

  • The presence of Alliance Manager focused on partner management and growth is an important role for the global company to grow further. Some countries which deemed to be politically risky to setup the subsidiary is the good candidate for distributor and reseller business model. As such, the Alliance Manager holds a vital role.
  • Partner enablement program focused on ensuring that the partners or alliances technical or R&D team are abreast for new products and offerings. Aside from new products, product releases and product roadmap updates are equally important to be shared.

Optional Phase: SEPARATION OR DIVORCE

The contract between two parties can end up in separation if one of the parties decided to terminate due to the other parties inability to maintain the previously set expectations. It is inevitable and it is normal especially when one of the parties decide to shift their business focus to other aspects or other industries wherever the case maybe.

As such, like the song ‘You and Me Against the World’ by Helen Reddy, the promise of commitment and trust is very important when building and maintaining strategic alliances.

Here’s one video discussing and giving few points for strategic alliance:

Til next time. Au revoir.

business, culture, international business, language

Would You Like To Speak My Language?

chicpencil

All the world’s a stage

– As You Like It by William Shakespeare

When I think about languages, the first person that comes to my mind is William Shakespeare. His creativity in his sonnets and plays has contributed to the expansion of English language. It was during his time when theatre plays has become popular as the form of entertainment.

Language is that aspect of communication which provides understanding to both the speaker and the listener (or the giver and the receiver). Needless to say, language plays the important role in business negotiations which is critical for company’s revenue.

He’s my nephew. Photo taken at Amsterdam, The Netherlands on September 2010.

Not everyone can speak the English language. And even English language spoken by Americans still possesses differences to the English language spoken by the British. In combination of culture, knowing a host country’s language is an added advantage for the international business negotiator. With Culture + Language, we can understand with clarity where the prospect customer(s) or the prospect business partner(s) are coming from. Not all languages are spoken, there are also the bodily languages that we need to understand.

Language is one of the challenges of an international manager or negotiator that need to overcome in order to win the business negotiation or implement the company’s global strategy.

Benjamin Lee Whorf is the known American linguist famous for his study of linguistic relativity. As per Whorf’s hypothesis, the language determines the nature of culture.

Whorf argued that words provide the concepts for understanding the world. According to Whorf, all languages have limited sets of words. These restricted word sets in turn constrain the ability of users to understand or conceptualize the world. Since language structures the way we think about what we see, it determines the cultural patterns.

Whorf’s hypothesis can also be interpreted as the most influential language has the control of economy and the world.

Although there are other studies conducted to disagree with Whorf’s claims, however, in my opinion, Whorf’s hypothesis and theory is true.

Taking into example the Southeast Asia region with countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines, these three countries are until now sharing words. Language between these three countries varies due to the colonization of different countries depicted in their country history. However, having been living, working, and communicating with these countries made me realized that we are still sharing few old words of which the meanings are exactly the same. And those words that we don’t have the commonality have been borrowed from the countries who colonized us. The behavior of the people or some aspects of culture vividly show similarities. When I consider comparing the country ratings of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions country ratings, it also shows similarities to some aspects of culture. Below is my analysis based using Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions of National Culture:

In conclusion, by basing from this example, the influence of language to other countries can be a tool to tap and to gain advantage during business deals and transactions to the host country. However, this is only the beginning or door opener for the international manager or business negotiator, it is still necessary to further understand not only the language that is verbally communicated but also the body language (implicit languages) from those countries belonging to the High Context Languages as distinct by anthropologist Edward T. Hall.

In the current economy, English has been the most common form of language used in business negotiations. As such, it is important for the international manager or negotiator to use the simplest English words (avoid the ‘slang’) in order to clearly deliver the message to the targeted audience.

As the famous Shakespeare once coined:

Brevity is the soul of wit.

It is through the simplest and precise words one’s intelligence is shown.

Til next time. Au revoir.

Citations:

  1. Cullen J, Parboteeah P, Multinational Management Strategic Approach 4ed, Thomson South-Western, c. 2008, pp. 641 – 643
  2. Benjamin Lee Whorf, “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia”,  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Lee_Whorf(3) Geert
  3. Hofstede Cultural Dimension http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_dimensions.php