GuestSpeech–AmericanBusinessCulture.docVIP

Guest Speech – American Business Culture Speaker: Sophia Lee Direct Communication It is very important to express yourself. You need to not only express yourself but also show your point of view. This is crucial for you if you wish to work in an international company, not only Nike, American company, but also other foreign companies. You need to practice asking yourself: “what is my point of view?” This is very important. Why? The truth is that when you don’t speak, it doesn’t mean that you don’t’ have any thoughts. Then, if you have thoughts, why don’t you speak them out? When you don’t talk and speak, in my (the American’s) perception, you don’t have opinions. When you don’t have opinions, the whole thing is not good. It is not good because an executive’s assumption will be that you don’t have any idea; you don’t have capability. When you ask questions, at least you show interest. Your American counterparts won’t regard you as ‘ignorant’. Instead, they will tend to think you are good at asking questions. “Good question,” they often say, when they hear questions. This is American culture. When you don’t ask and speak, there is one-way communication in the office. It cannot be good. A lot of Asian people don’t want to speak or ask questions because they are in lack of confidence. They are afraid of making mistakes or asking stupid questions. Lack of confidence, this is one of the perceptions that American people have toward Asian people and those who don’t express themselves in the office. That is not good, either. American people appreciate open-minded sharing and your ability in direct communication. We (Americans) encourage any opinions and questions in discussion time. There is no stupid question. Every question helps with clarification or understanding. If people don’t express themselves in the meeting, but later have a lot of words, gossips or issues privately, they cause problems. That is not good. Conclusion: American business cultur