Intercultural White Paper Us Compared To Uk

Intercultural White Paper US Compared to UK

(i) Executive summary
Since we are entering the United Kingdom, we must learn about the country's culture to be successful.
o The U.K. communication style is more formal and detached.
o Punctuality is very important.
o Rigid adherence to processes is common.   So, decisions take longer to make.
o Managers in the U.K. have an open and honest relationship with their subordinates. U.K. labor law allows employees to be more candid than their U.S. counterparts.

I recommend that we create a U.K.-based sales team to service the U.K.   A local staff will provide us local knowledge and will increase collaboration between the U.S. and U.K. sales staffs.


(ii) Introduction
In this white paper, I will introduce you to the culture of the United Kingdom and I will explain how U.K. business practices differ from the United States, what practices are most common, and how to avoid certain cultural pitfalls.   In addition, I will show you how to encourage teamwork between the U.S. and U.K. sales teams.

(iii) Business problem and critical issues
We are expanding to the United Kingdom.   To support our sales channels there, we are hiring a sales staff native to the U.K.   Therefore, we will need to understand the country and its culture.   In addition, the U.S. sales team will need to provide training to the U.K. staff.   The staffing model we are implementing will include a dedicated U.S. sales force and a separate U.K. sales team.   These teams will be partners and will not compete for sales opportunities.

(iv) Research methodology
• Cultural research on Internet websites
• Interview with Ian Blair, a businessman that was born, educated, and worked in the United Kingdom until 1995.   Ian has a sales background and provided valuable insight on U.K. culture, and U.K. sales in general.

(v) Research findings: General cultural information and business culture

People
People in the U.K. tend to be analytical and outwardly...