Norwegian Culture in Business Settings Abroad

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Norwegian Culture in Business Settings Abroad

• Andy Mclarney
• Rogaland Personal Forum 2009

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Agenda

• Defining Norwegian Behaviour
• Comparing behaviour with other cultures
• Pitfalls to avoid
• Case study scenario
• Conclusions

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(Mis)Understanding!

• The United Nations sent out a worldwide survey.
  The request

Please give your honest opinion about possible
solutions to end the food shortage in the rest of
the world.
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Westernisation

• Administration -
• Management -
• Leadership -

Human diversity makes tolerance more than a
virtue it makes it a requirement for survival.
Rene Dubos
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Typisk norsk

• Reserved
• Direct
• Work to live
• Facts
• Non hierarchical

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Cultural comparisons

• Energetic
• Direct
• Live to work
• Facts
• The boss is boss

Energetic Non direct Live to work Feelings The
boss is boss
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Pitfalls to avoid
Safe landing

• Re-calibrate
• Reactions to ideas
• Visual and verbal responses
• Energy level
• Patience

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When does yes mean yes?

• Yes
• Saves face
• Avoids conflict

• Be aware
• 7 - words
• 60-80 Visual
• Understand me, not my message
• Avoid ambiguity - S.M.A.R.T

Succesful departure
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Case scenario

• Sales offer

Purchase - 36 months

• Why so long
• Too direct
• Didnt allow for saving face
• Overestimated yes
• Hierarchy

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Key conclusion

• Awareness of our own behaviour is equally
  important as the ability to Interpret the
  behaviour of others.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vdtgmNooEIZwfeature
  player_embedded

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