International business (part 2): behaviour by Michael Schmitz

About the Lecture

The lecture International business (part 2): behaviour by Michael Schmitz is from the course Effective communication through soft skills. It contains the following chapters:

Office rules
Building an international network
Networking in the office
Networking at social events
Formal business dinner
Dinner: Seating
Dinner: Ordering
Dinner: Wine
Dinner: Etiquette Failure
Dinner: Conversation
Dinner: Common Mistakes
Dinner: Graceful exit
Summary

Included Quiz Questions

In order to build an international network, you should …

have the right mindset and regard introductions as very valuable especially in collectivistic cultures.
have the right mindset and regard introductions as very valuable especially in individualistic cultures.
be flexible and regard introductions as very valuable especially in individualistic cultures.
be flexible and regard introductions as very valuable especially in collectivistic cultures.

When building your network in the office or at a party, ...

you should be polite, respectful and optimistic. Discuss specific deals later in private.
you should directly ask for feedback and support.
you should try to get to know as many people as possible.
you should drink first with the others, and then start talking to them.

What is not a respectful behaviour when invited to a business dinner?

You are on time and await the other guests inside.
You arrive before the fixed time, wait outside the restaurant in the summer or in the lobby during the winter.
You move inside - but as a host, you would wait outside.
You always arrive a bit later and move straight inside.

What should you consider when ordering at a formal business dinner?

You should not order food like spaghetti or a soup that could spill or that is not easy to eat.
You should not order the most expensive dish.
You should wait for the host regarding alcohol.
You should not order food like meat with fries or potatoes that could offend somebody.
You should not order the cheapest dish.

Wine ...

is overrated. Order what you want or ask for advice, but do not fall prey to false pretentiousness.
requires a lot of knowledge and skill - never show your lack of knowledge.
is always something you order: show your knowledge!
and hard alcohol arrive at the same time.

What is not correct concerning small talk?

It is bad tool to find common topics and to begin the self-disclosure game.
It is a great tool to find common topics and to begin the self-disclosure game.
It shows a lack of respect.
It is ideal to learn about politics and religion.

How do you make a graceful exit at a formal business dinner?

Wait till the others have finished eating, get up quietly and politely, thank the host for the dinner and send an e-mail with “Thank you” one or two days later.
Wait till the others have finished eating, get up quietly and politely, thank the host for the dinner and send an e-mail with “Thank you” three or four days later.
Wait till the others have finished eating, get up quietly and politely, thank everybody for the dinner and send an e-mail with “Thank you” three or four days later.
Wait till the others have finished eating, get up quietly and politely, thank everybody for the dinner and send an e-mail with “Thank you” one or two days later.