Cross-cultural differences abound in all walks of life. This summer I
was invited by one of my French friends to her wedding in France. She was getting married to a mutual friend who was German. The city hall and church wedding ceremonies were held in both languages so that all guests could enjoy the wedding. After that the real differences began to show…

The festival of Paryushana Parva is celebrated by Jains (a Hindu sect)
across the world, mainly in India, in the Hindu month of Bhadrapad. It ordains them to observe the ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life, which bring bliss into this and the next world. The main aim is the attainment of salvation, the ‘supreme ideal for a mundane soul’. The festival is for self purification and uplift, leading one on the right path away from materialism. It is for introspection and enlightenment.

Every day it seems we pick up the phone and speak to someone in
India, whether it is for IT support or just to be put through to the appropriate department of a large corporation.  Increasing numbers of companies are doing business with India (in JV’s, M&A’s, contact  centres and overseas operations) and this has implications for all of us. So, what advice can I impart about how to work best with Indian partners and colleagues? Here are ten key points that may give you a deeper insight…

1. VARIETY

• This is the word Indians use to describe themselves.
• Each ‘Metro’ has distinct culture – Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai.
• Big difference between NORTH (Hindi speaking) and SOUTH (Tamil speaking) (and lots of other languages)• REMEMBER: French connection – Pondicherry

2. BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS

• Indians are intelligent, enthusiastic, and motivated.•
• They can be inhibited by the authority structure and by their lack of experience of Western companies.
• Show interest in personal lives.• Praise good work.• Give direct clear instructions with firm deadlines.
• Do what you can to make them feel part of the firm’s family. (photos, certificates, Intranet comms. Etc.)

3. LANGUAGES

• India has over 300 national languages.
• INDIAN ENGLISH is a distinct variety – like US English.
• It has big differences in accent, stress, vocabulary (like US English).
• It has small differences in grammar.
• Indian English is very strongly influenced by local languages – e.g. speed of speech.

4. FAMILY

• FAMILY is the most important motivator in India.
• Indians abroad work for family and send money home (there is no social security).
• Indians recognise a much wider variety of family members than we do in the West (the extended family).
• Make Indian members feel part of your corporate family.

5. EDUCATION

• Education is very important in India.
• Indians respect qualifications and education.
• Graduates of IIT’s (Indian Institutes of Technology) are especially highly regarded.
• They may be less respectful of experience unless it is supported by qualifications.
• Show respect for education.

6. RESPECT

• Respect is very important in Indian society.
• Indians learn it at school.
• They are very respectful of hierarchy, (young graduates much less so.)
• Show respect for age and seniority.
• Remember that foreigners are usually shown respect.
• People will not contradict you out of respect.

7. AUTHORITY

• This goes along with respect.
• Many Indians will not feel they have the right to contradict you EVEN IF THEY KNOW YOU ARE WRONG.
• Make sure you are dealing with someone who has worked with Westerners and who understands the importance of open feedback.
• Find someone with experience who will be more prepared to take responsibility.

8. ‘NEVER SAY NO’.

• There is a danger that some Indians may give you wrong or inexact information out of a desire to please.
• There is also a danger that they may overestimate their capacity or ability for the same reason.
• Always ask ‘How’ something will be implemented in order to check viability.

9. TIME

• Indians do not automatically prioritise requests unless urgency is stressed.
• ‘One thing we have plenty of is time,’ is an Indian saying.
• Give clear detailed instructions.
• Say exactly when you need something. Stress importance.
• Keep checking delivery status. (It shows interest.)

10. TEAM VOLATILITY

• India like Latin countries in Europe is a ‘contact sport’.
• Keep in regular friendly contact with team.
• Be prepared to fly out to troubleshoot problems. (Face to face works best).
• Good team leaders are often moved to other responsibilities.
• Good team leaders often get overloaded with other work.

And remember: If you sometimes complain about how things work in India, they complain about how things work, or fail to work, in the West.

COMMMUNICATION IS THE KEY.

© Contributed by Barry Tomalin 2011 (http://www.culture-training.com/)

This month there are over twenty independence days stretching from
countries as far apart as Costa Rica and Vietnam, from Mali to North Korea. We wish all of these countries, a very happy independence day!

Libya – September 1, Vietnam – September 2,Qatar – September 3 , San Marino – September 3, Swaziland – September 6, Brazil – September 7, Andorra – September 8, North Korea – September 9, Bulgaria – September 9, Costa Rica – September 15, El Salvador – September 15, Guatemala – September 15, Honduras – September 15, Nicaragua – September 15, Mexico – September 16, Papua New Guinea – September 16, Chile – September 18 , Belize – September 21 , Malta – September 21, Mali – September 22, Saudi Arabia – September 23, Yemen – September 26, Botswana – September 30.

Harmony is the goal of the universe …
If it is true that the harmonic relationships in music reflect the harmonic and mathematical relationships in the planetary systems as well as the cosmos, then this must be valid also outside of music. Science has taught us that this phenomenon is universal. Two oscillators pulsating in the same field in almost identical rhythm will lock in, with the result that eventually their vibrations will become precisely synchronous. This phenomenon is referred to as mutual phase locking, or entrainment. Entrainment is universal in nature. In fact it is so ubiquitous that we hardly notice it as the air we breathe. It is a physical phenomenon, but it is also more than that, because it informs us about the tendencies of the universe to share rhythm, that is to vibrate in harmony.

From’The World is Sound’ by Joachim-Ernst Brendt

The 3oth August each year offers the world community the
opportunity to remember the victims of enforced disappearance. The day aims to draw our attention to the plight of those who have been imprisoned without their friends or relatives knowing where or why; the agonising of their families; and also to highlight the work of those organisations who campaign against secret imprisonment and work to support the ‘disappeared’ and their families. The International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances has instigated this date as a commemorative day in a bid to bring about the effective implementation of an international convention to protect the ‘disappeared’. Watch the movingly illustrative video…

In a bid to achieve a safer world, the UN has designated 29th August
each year as the day to galvanise people around the globe into advocating the banning of nuclear tests. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted in 2010 that “A world free of nuclear weapons would be global public good of the highest order.” In the five decades between 1945 and 1996, over 2,000 nuclear tests were carried out all over the world. The International Day of Action Against Nuclear Tests aims to raise public awareness about the effects of global nuclear weapon tests. Nuclear weapons tests have caused environmental degradation and harmed the health of millions.

The 23rd August each year offers the world community the
opportunity to commemorate the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its abolition. Apart from remembering those who suffered as slaves the day highlights the fact that millions still live as slaves in all but name. The UN’s cultural organisation, Unesco, chose the date to commemorate the 1791 San Domingo (Haiti) revolt, which marked the first decisive victory of slaves against their oppressors and led to the creation of the first black independent state.

On 22nd August 2011, Hindus around the world will be celebrating
Krishna Janmashmati, the birth of their deity Lord Sri Krishna. Krishna is seen as the source of joy and his birthday is one of the most important celebrations in the Hindu calendar. Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life and so the festival is celebrated with great splendour. As well as celebrating the birth of Sri Krishna, the festival symbolises the lighting of the spark of the Divine power in every human being.