Working With Americans: How to Build Profitable Business Relationships [Paperback]

Allyson Stewart Allen (Author), Lanie Denslow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0273656260 | ISBN-13: 978-0273656265 | Publication Date: August 2002

Anybody who has ever done business with Americans can testify that there are more differences than similarities between Americans and most business cultures in the rest of the world. There are differences in cultures, values, etiquette and even 'common' business language -- which is quite often, well, uncommon. When it comes to building relationships and doing business deals with Americans, understanding and appreciating these behaviors, culture and business manners is vital to success. Everybody wants to work with people they relate to, who they believe they can trust -- and ultimately who 'speak my language'. Working with Americans not only illuminates why Americans think and operate as they do, but also shows what you can do to play to your US colleagues' preferences and business practices. This is the guide to understanding Americans in business, their culture and thinking which will make you a more informed and confident manager and envoy. With confidence enhanced, you can be more relaxed, have fun, and focus on building lasting, profitable relationships.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you are working for or with USA Inc., the authors' detailed analysis of American corporate culture is an invaluable roadmap." David Nelson, Producer, Sky News Business For many people, Globalisation means Americanization, but successful economic development also needs cultural understanding and trust. This book will give you a real insight into how to build successful relationships with the wonderful folk from "God's Own Country". Sir Paul Judge, Chairman, British-North American Committee The best thing in management is cross fertilization. The best in cross fertilization is cultural integration. The best in cultural integration is to combine American management good sense and simplicity with European flair. This book not only helps you avoid misunderstandings, but more importantly makes you understand how this unique combination can work. Philippe Bourguignon, Chief Executive, Club Med (former Chief Executive, Disneyland Paris) "the book I wish I had written the book I hope you will read!" Ed Reilly, President, American Management Association " I am extremely impressed by the quality and the new enlightenments of Allyson and Lanie's book." PY Gerbeau, Chief Executive of Xscape and former Chief Executive of the Millenium Dome"Two Americans give us the inside story of how to work with the apparently mystifying yanks and takes the time to cover the vast world between middle America and the coasts. For an American, it's a fascinating insight into what you always thought was just a personal peculiarity and now realize is a cultural characteristic. For a non-American the book will clear up such mystifying behaviors as volume of speech, approach to deadlines, etiquette at a business lunch and proper business dress code. " Brand Channel "provides vital information... It not only illuminates why Americans think and operate as they do, it also provide clear guidelines on how to be effective in playing to these preferences and business practices so as to build more effective and profitable relationships" - Business Book Review, January 2006

About the Author

Allyson Stewart-Allen is an American (Californian!) based in Europe for the past 2 decades, from where she advises a broad range of companies and industries -- from professional sports teams to legal services -- wanting to build their US presence and profits. Before establishing and running her Los Angeles and London-based consulting firm, International Marketing Partners, she was a marketing consultant with PwC, PA Consulting Group and Hay Management Consultants after earning her MBA under the direct tutelage of Dr. Peter Drucker at Claremont Graduate University. Allyson appears regularly as a marketing expert on CNN International, is regularly quoted in The Wall St. Journal Europe amongst other publications, and has a regular column in Market Leader and Marketing News magazines. She is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences around the globe. You can contact Allyson on [e-mail] Lanie Denslow is an innovative Californian, with a strong retailing and marketing background. She is International Director of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, a private college headquartered in Los Angeles. In addition, she founded World Wise Intercultural Training and Resources, to provide business professionals with seminars and customized programme to enable professionals conduct business effectively in and outside their home countries. Lanie has an MBA and a Masters of International Business from Pepperdine University. She has lived in France, is fluent in French and works regularly in Europe. You can contact Lanie on [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Financial Times Management (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0273656260
• ISBN-13: 978-0273656265
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic and inspiring book, December 7, 2004

By 

Angela C. Hamlin (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Working With Americans: How to Build Profitable Business Relationships (Paperback)

"Having read about Working with Americans (which until then I hadn't realised was a subject!) I wanted to get it to help me understand the owrking relationdhip I had witn an American colleague. I was then fortunate enough to find that Allyson Stewart-Allen was our course leader for a course on Strategic Business Planning. She is as dynamic, enthusiastic and inspiring as this brilliant book. It is fun, enjoyable, informative and educational. I only hope they write many, many more books.!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave home without it!, December 6, 2005

By 

B Harrop "B Harrop" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Working With Americans: How to Build Profitable Business Relationships (Paperback)

This book has helped many of us at American Express in Europe and the US -- it's well-written, informative and has lots of very practical advice for how to understand the American psyche in the business context.
Don't leave home without it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read., November 8, 2005

By 

T Stone "T Stone" (Surrey, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Working With Americans: How to Build Profitable Business Relationships (Paperback)

Should be mandatory in flight reading for any traveller doing business in the U.S. for the first time