Global Team Project
English 3900 Spring 2012
Each of you has been given a country to research and will serve as a team member with 3 to 4 other class members who have the same country. Your “mission” is to learn enough about your country to serve as a cross cultural advisor for a new corporation which hopes to move quickly into a global market—specifically in six target countries. In order to have negotiations and future endeavors move smoothly, their corporate teams must know how to conduct themselves properly in these six cultures and keep cross cultural issues at a minimum.
Suggested areas and questions to explore:
What underlying rules dictate the way business is transacted both within the professional network of your target country and with outside business interests? Look at cultural mores and business etiquette practices and standards of acceptable behavior.
What potential problems would you anticipate when U.S business professionals interact with this culture?
When writing or communicating with business officials in your target country, what guidelines should the writer follow? Are there communication formats or persuasive visuals that would be offensive to your target country? Also consider proper titles and styles of address and the required level of formality in business negotiations.
Examine the gender roles within the business environment. What adjustments must be made in this area in order to communicate effectively and achieve the desired outcome?
How does “team work” operate within the corporate structure of your target country? What adjustments must be made when U.S. business professionals “team” with those of your country?
Look at “time” as a cultural phenomenon in your target country. How closely does it reflect the American idea of “time is money” or time management? What adjustments must be made to ensure successful negotiations?
How should this company approach the idea of gaining trust, establishing rapport, persuading an unfamiliar audience and/or decision making? What are the cultural differences that might create barriers in these areas? What are the important values and attitudes of your target country that must be acknowledged and appreciated before new, foreign ideas (and their messengers) can find acceptance?
Your classroom task:
1. Over the weekend, do some individual research on your target country using the questions above as guidelines. Come to class Monday prepared to contribute to your team discussion as you plan your class presentation.
2. On Monday, Feb. 6, you and your team will discuss your target country, plan and divide responsibilities, and work on your timing for a 12-minute presentation either Wednesday, Feb. 8, or Friday, Feb. 10. Teams will also draw for presentation days. (You do not have to cover every question on the list. However, your presentation must serve the needs of your “client.” Be thorough in the areas you select. Remember that this should have a business focus. Don’t just take us on a “tour” of your country.)
3. There will be three presentations on Wednesday and three on Friday, beginning promptly at 11 am. Your presentation may not exceed 12 minutes. With the exception of the time constraint, there is no required format for this. However, if you choose to use Power Point, be ready with your computer or flash drive (for my computer) so that the maximum time for set up can be kept under 3 minutes. Everyone on your team should have a role in this presentation, preferably a speaking role. This should not just be a visual presentation with team bystanders, nor should it be a “one-man show.” Do watch the clock. You may not encroach on your classmates’ time.
4. Following the last presentation, team evaluations will be distributed. These will offer you an opportunity to assess the project itself plus the contributions and participation level of your team members. These will be due at the beginning of class Monday, Feb. 13.