Customer Reviews

International Business Etiquette: Asia & the Pacific Rim : What You Need to Know to Conduct Business Abroad With Charm and Savvy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have often wished that there was an outstanding source on business etiquette in various countries, and have searched in vain for one. I was quite interested to read this one to see if it would fulfill my needs. Obviously, I could not evaluate the advice for countries where I have not done business so I checked out the countries where I had done business. The results disappointed me.

Issues that came up within the first 24 hours of trips to Asia and the Pacific Rim were not addressed in the book, such as how I should work with the companies I was planning to visit to arrange for the details of my visit. Also, many social habits that were important in meetings were not addressed, like how one should respond in various situations during business meetings (such as if the other side brings up something that is a deal breaker).

On the other hand, the book clearly provides useful advice as far as it goes, and it attempts to cover the waterfront (13 areas and 24 subjects per geography). That's probably the reason why it is too basic in approach. You will get good help here on important basics like how many hours of time difference (so you don't call at the wrong time), how dates are written down so you can decipher the messages you get, when holidays are so you won't offend someone by suggesting a meeting on an important religious or national holiday, and gift-giving etiquette (an area where Americans often err).

I do suggest that you acquire this book to have these basics available near to your computer and telephone at work. Also, the bibliography seems to provide a list of longer books on each geographic area. Those books may give you more details. There's probably no substitute for speaking with a business person from the country before you go, and getting advice from the concierge at a good hotel once you're there. Naturally, if you are fortunate enough to have colleagues in your company who work there already, they can fill you in. So this book is primarily aimed at those without a local operation.

Some of the better sections included information about what are appropriate conversational topics, rude gestures and actions to avoid, punctuality, seating etiquette, the special issues for women in business, and the weather conditions you can expect.

A book like this is a good reminder of how much we are conditioned by our culture. If nothing else, it can help you understand the sources of stalled thinking that can harm our business relationships in other countries because of our typical American approaches.

I liked what was in the book. I graded it down two stars for what was not...END

Ann Marie Sabath ever so politely documents the social and business etiquette practiced in 13 Asian and Pacific Rim countries. Chock full of practical "do's and don'ts," the book includes plenty of basic information about each country, including history, air travel, telephone, currency, holidays, language, religion, time zones and weather. To fit so much into only 200 pages, the author presents only the most important highlights and writes in a concise, authoritative, yet upbeat style. We [...] recommend this book to those doing business in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, and to those doing business elsewhere with men and women from these countries. And, just remember what Mom said, "Mind your manners wherever you go so they'll know you weren't raised in a barn."

Asia & The Pacific Rim is a must read book for those who are interested in doing business with Asian countries. Ann Marie Sabath in her book explained the Asian customs and cultures throughly but simply enough for everyone to understand and grasp. As a student from China, I believe reading this book will make your business trip to Asia more pleasant and sucessful.

Ann Marie, I received my book a few minutes ago from Amazon.com Re: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ETIQUETTE .. Asia & the Pacific Rim. Even though I purchased it for my official job, it will prove beneficial to me as well in my personal life as a poet/storyteller/performing artist. I have travelled abroad to Europe several times--most recently in Jan/Feb of this year to perform in 5 countries in behalf of the Armed Forces Professional Entertainment Organization, Department of Defense, the Pentagon. I may also have an opportunity to perform in Japan. This books is a useful tool for conducting business above scale and with confidence.