An 8-point global cultural checklist.

In preparing your workforce for globalization, keep in mind that there are many cultural differences that impact conducting business successfully in other countries. Be sure that everyone from your key strategists to your hourly workers are aware of the cultural conditioning that will affect your enterprise. Talk to the experts and find out how you can be on top of the cultural game.

Think of the word CULTURES and ask yourself these questions:

Communication: How does the foreign culture's communication style affect business interaction? How are conflict and face-saving viewed? How is information distributed? Are individuals or teams most preferred for solving problems?

Understanding core values: What do values like religion, family structure, gender roles, education and historical pride have to do with conducting business? How essential are establishing trust or building relationships in the workplace?

Language: To what extent should one understand the target language? What about the need for formality or use of titles? How does one best employ interpreters and translators? How is the use of English viewed?

Time: Is the culture polychronic or monochromic, and what does that mean? How many hours are in a typical workweek, how are meetings and appointments structured? What is the orientation toward planning: long term or short term? What about punctuality and deadlines?

Using nonverbals: What should one know about gestures and body language? What about the importance of business cards, documented credentials, or signs and symbols? How is corporate casual viewed?

Respect for authority: What is the culture's leadership style? How are decisions made? What is involved in negotiating, how are people best motivated and rewarded? What are the expectations of the workforce toward management?

Environment: What is the culture's perception of the United States? What are its views of technology and change and how important are privacy or harmony in the workplace?

Social customs: How are holidays and leisure time spent? What should one know about food, dining customs, business vs. personal life, and how should gifts and reciprocity be managed?

These are some of the fascinating factors that can vary from culture to culture. Being competitive in the international market requires a good amount of cultural competence, and learning about the other culture can reveal a great deal about our own. The best advice is: Do your homework; be prepared.

For more information on this subject, visit www.languatutor.com or check out the "Culture Shock" series of books, See www.escapeartist.com/cultureshock/books.htm for a list of titles.

Mary Beauregard is an intercultural consultant for Langua Tutor Inc. in Bingham Farms, a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber.