From the Back Cover
Access to Asia presents a practical framework and effective strategies for today's global business leaders and managers, whether they are traveling from Toronto to Taipei, Baltimore to Bangalore, or San Francisco to Shanghai. Drawing from the extensive experience and global connections of intercultural consultant and international etiquette expert Sharon Schweitzer and consulting co-author and book strategist Liz Alexander, as well as contributions from over 100 international professionals, this crucial guide suggests that irrespective of their industry, everyone is in the relationship business. When doing business in Asia, building trust and gaining respect are vital steps in developing meaningful business relationships. Access to Asia is filled with the inside advice and real-world stories that explain how to strengthen business ties in ten countries including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Myanmar/Burma, and South Korea.
Access to Asia reveals why cultural awareness is so vital to sustained business success and out-lines an eight-question framework for building business relationships in ten important Asian markets. The simple Self-Awareness Profiles prompt you to identify where you currently stand on topics related to this framework, compared with the prevailing country culture. The U.S. chapter offers insights for U.S. Americans into their own culture, and is a primer to doing business in the U.S. for Asian readers or indeed anyone from another culture. The authors include an alphabetical listing of common concepts and terms that offer a better understanding of how to create long-lasting business relationships in Asia.
The book is filled with down-to-earth suggestions for creating goodwill such as incorporating the names of national heroes and sports figures in conversations and presentations. For each Asian country highlighted there is a handy guide to that country's etiquette and protocol including material on gift-giving practices, forms of address, greetings, and much more. The authors also impart insider tips and suggestions for the proper way to socialize, and they include a guide to fiscal calendars and important dates of regional holidays.
For individuals and companies looking to engage more successfully with their counterparts in Asia, Access to Asia showcases the critical people skills that drive global business success.
SHARON SCHWEITZER, JD, is an intercultural consultant and international etiquette expert to current and future leaders within Global 2000 and Fortune 50 companies. As the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, her work and travels have taken her to all seven continents and over 60 countries. She has over 20 years' experience providing consulting and training to more than 100,000 attorneys and corporate executives in law firms and global corporations. Sharon's law practice, during her earlier years as an employment attorney, involved cultural dynamics between employees and management. She has delivered presentations and workshops for Charles University, Prague; The Ohio State University; and The University of Texas at Austin. Sharon speaks French and some Czech. She is a popular radio and TV guest as well as a sought-after conference speaker, columnist, and blogger. Connect with her at www.sharonschweitzer.com.
LIZ ALEXANDER, PhD, is the multiple awards-winning author of 15 books and acts as book strategist and consulting co-author to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and consultants worldwide. She is also co-founder of boutique consulting firm Leading Thought, directing her gifts and passion to helping aspiring thought leaders harness strategically valuable, actionable insights to grow their businesses and boost revenue. She can be reached at liz@drlizalexander.com.
