India Culture

18 Pages 4455 Words

ental factors.
· Whenever you are convinced that your are right, insist that whoever objects accepts in writing the full responsibility for the consequences of not following your instructions. Staff members are usually so reluctant to accept responsibility that making this demand usually ensures that your wishes will be respected.
· It is important to insist that employees write instructions down or for you to distribute written instructions, so that no one can later deny being informed of them.
· The best policy is to create a "paper trail" by circulating reports and memos, even to people not directly affected, so that staff members can't claim that you didn't inform them. Complaints, requests, and decisions of any kind should be given in writing.
· A business traveler who is a boss will be forgiven most lapses in etiquette. But even the slightest physical altercation, such as shoving or grabbing someone by his or her shirt, is unacceptable. Lose your control and you will automatically lose authority of any kind.
· It will be in your best interests to mask any hostile feelings with a smile.
· Interpersonal skills such as the ability to form friendships are considered more important than professional competence and experience. Nevertheless, there is a deep respect in this culture for university degrees.
· Indians are generally too polite to directly answer "no."
· Since the word "no" has harsh implications in India, evasive answers are considered more polite. For example, if you have to decline an invitation, it's more acceptable to give a vague and noncommittal answer such as "I'll try" or "We'll see" rather than "No, I can't."
· If you are the boss, it's often your presence that's important, so that the negotiations can take place at the top level. Because of the rigid hierarchy in Indian business culture, a subordinate will only be able to meet with a subordinate. Once you have gained access to the nec...