Comparative Analysis of Business Culture and Communication

This assignment delves into the nuances of cross-cultural communication within a business context, specifically comparing business practices between the United States and India. The student analyzes the major differences in business structures, communication styles, and attitudes towards time and deadlines in these two countries. The analysis identifies potential misunderstandings that could arise when individuals from these different cultural backgrounds collaborate. The assignment also reflects on the student's newfound understanding of cross-cultural communication and its importance in international business, emphasizing the need to consider cultural factors when formulating business strategies. The student highlights the importance of understanding cultural differences for successful business ventures and investment decisions, drawing contrasts between American and Indian business approaches. The assignment concludes with the student's acknowledgement of the importance of cross-cultural communication in business and a recognition of the value of understanding cultural differences in the business world.

ASSIGNMENT NO 1: CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION
Q1: what major differences were there in doing business between the two countries? Which
difference(s) might cause misunderstandings between two people of these nationalities
working together?
Ans: The two countries chosen are the United states of America and India. Both countries are
democratic and populous countries. There exist many business differences between the two
countries. First in USA, the structure and the style of company organization is very different and
depends upon the country’s history and the current leader and business relation is built between
the two companies. Whereas in India, the third party usually introduce the two parties meeting
together and usually business meetings are based on personal relationships. American usually do
business where they get best offers and services. On the other hand, Indians prefer their close
allies for business. Americans are direct in communication, whereas Indians are usually not.
Americans are punctual while Indians do not give much importance to time. Americans take
deadlines seriously, in contrasts Indians don’t.
According to me the major differences that might cause misunderstandings between the two
people working together are the cultural and time issue. Because Americans give much
consideration to the time and for them every thing should be ready and available at the time.
Whereas in India, the usual timings for the business started at the !10:00am or even in the
midday. They don’t value time as much as the Americans do. They keep on delaying the tasks or
the contracts which can develop serious issues with both of two working together.
Another major difference that might cause problem while both of them working together is the
cultural one. In America, they believe in just work and services and don’t judge people on the
seniority basis. While in India, if the person is senior in age, he should be given extra ordinary
respect, one has to admit his/her decision even if they are detrimental to the business. You cannot
call them by name unlike Americans who call every one whether senior or junior with their
names. Another conflict can also be aroused, that if an American is working with a women he
will have to be extra cautious in meetings because most of the women don’t prefer to shake
hands, there are certain barriers they have built around them which hamper them to diminish
their decision power, unlike American women who is empowered and confident.
Q2: What did this exercise make you think about cross cultural communication? Have you
thought of these issues before, or are they new to you?
Ans: This exercise really provoked me think about the cross-cultural communication. After
reading this I have come across novel idea and I have not thought of that before. It showed a new
perspective and surely whenever I will start a business or recommend someone to start a
business, I will look into this factor as well. It is one of the important factors to make the
business successful. Otherwise the huge clash will be developed and the people will incur loss.
Now am getting the point, how large Multi-National companies are doing business across the
globe with so much ease. Am sure they would have understood first the people, their nature and
the common way of dealing with them. Then they would have devised the strategy according to
that so they can deal and involve them and take their business to the new heights. It is also the
cross-cultural communication that also helps that which type of the investment and how much

investment one has to make in the relevant country, so that it will bring the fruit. As I have
discussed above the two-country people nature i.e., Americans and Indians. Americans are
punctual and follow the deadlines whereas Indians are totally opposite. So, in this case a strategy
has to be devised that must full fill the requirements of the two and help them in doing business.
It is sure that some kind of liaison would have been already made, that is why we can see large
American Brands are present in India.
As far as the prior knowledge of the cross-cultural communication is concerned, I really had not
any idea that this also exists and taken into close consideration while making some business
decisions. This exercise has added to my knowledge and gave me idea to be meticulous and
sharp while doing a business. I have not though of this perspective before it is a completely new
ideology to me.