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Archive for Doing Business

Philippines – Impact of Non-Working Holidays

· 27th October 2017

With almost 20 public holidays on record, the Philippines along with Colombia, rank 3^rd in the top ten countries in the world with the most number of public holidays. Yet, this number still excludes the special non-working days, additionally announced by Philippine presidential proclamation.

The most recent addition to the Philippines’ list of special non-working days relates to the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit (ASEAN).Being a high-profile event, a recent proclamation was released declaring 13 to 15 November 2017, as three consecutive special non-working days for both private and public offices in the National Capitol Region, Bulacan and Pampanga, to pave the way for the ASEAN conference. These areas will be directly affected by the said activities. While the summit would end on November 14, classes in all educational levels on 16 to 17 November have also been suspended since thousands of delegates are expected to tour Metro Manila after the summit.

Here is a brief overview of the expected impact to the following sectors:

Government Agencies/Offices:

The 31st ASEAN Summitis the second international conference of heads of government to be hosted by the Philippines under the Duterte administration. It will be simultaneously held in Manila and Clark Air Base in Pampanga. Hosting this event will allow the government to highlight Philippine interests in the region. ASEAN integration will allow the Philippines to achieve their goals related to export of products and services, trade, and tourism by working together with Asian nations, rather than individually.

Private Employers:

The spontaneous announcement of special non working holidays will certainly affect private employers, who may not have included the disruption of their goods and services due to the holidays into their forecasts, budgets and general agenda. For the regular, full time employees, they are still entitled to receive 100% of their pay.Employees who work on special non-working days are paid at least 130% of the sum of their daily rate and cost of living allowance. There are also delays on services or supplies that companies rely on government agencies to provide that impact their ability to complete tasks. There are also adverse effects on the country’s economy as large transactions tend to get held up, especially those related to the banking and the financial sector. The finances will need to wait for longer periods to be cleared off and therefore get pended.

General Public:

Holidays are generally beneficial to the well-being of employees and students. It will give them the chance to relax, spend time with family and/or travel. However, laborers who are employed under a no work-no pay scheme will not be able to recover their wage from the unworked holiday and they may not have the funds to afford them the opportunity to travel on the long holidays. Generally, in the metropolitan business districts, the roads are less congested and the shopping malls, grocery stores and areas of entertainment remain open for regular business.

Destination and Immigration Service Providers:

Advance scheduling is key in this industry and special non-working days would lead to various delays in a home search program, school support or even payments for housing and temporary accommodations. The delays would be incurred in their daily operations between global management companies and the assignees. The processing of visas, permits, licenses, approvals; authorizations are placed on hold, customs release of shipments is postponed, all unavoidably creating a significant backlog. Such a disruption in services will most inevitably be felt in the next few weeks.
In conclusion, the unforeseen non-working days in the Philippines has it’s positive and negative effects. While everyone enjoys time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life, we must take into account that not all can afford unexpected business closures.

Upcoming Non-Working Holidays:

01 November, Wednesday – Special Non-Working Day, All Saint’s Day

13 to 15 November, Monday to Wednesday – Additional Special Non-Working Days, ** 31^stAsean Summit ***

References:

https://www.gov.ph/events-and-holidays

https://www.pinoymoneytalk.com/2017-holidays-philippines-official-list/

Headlines, Oct 24, 2017. The Philippine Star.com

Headlines, Oct 23, 2017, CNN Philippines.com

Headlines, Oct 23, 2017, Sunstar.com

http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2017/10oct/20171023-PROC-332-RRD.pdf https://amti.csis.org/reassessing-asean-summit-utility/

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/01/c_136248461.htm

Categories : Philippines

Tags : Doing Business

India – Corruption & Compliance

Posted by reloc8apg

· 13th October 2017

Reloc8 Asia Pacific Group’s India partner, Rohit Kumar, has written a feature article for the October 2017 issue of Worldwide ERC® Mobility magazine on the topic of corruption & compliance in India.

Read the article here our use the button below to download for viewing later.

View/Download the 5-page PDF (7.8Mb)

View the October 17′ issue of Mobility

Categories : India

Tags : Doing Business

Japan – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

Japanese people place a high level of value on etiquette and protocol during any type of business affair, yet generally are very forgiving to foreigners as long as they show respect and make an effort to understand Japanese culture and business customs.

Here then are some key aspects of Japanese meeting etiquette:

Time: Be punctual

Arrive 5-10 mins early for an appointment. Arriving too early is disturbing as they may have other appointments scheduled.

Greetings: Bowing is important

Bowing is a common way of greeting. The lower and deeper the bow, the more respect that is shown.
At the very beginning of the meeting, when introducing oneself, Japanese bow with their backs straight and hands at their sides. Women often bow holding their hands clasped in front. They may also offer you a handshake instead.
Make sure to greet the most senior person before you greet others.

Business cards: They are treated with the utmost respect in Japan

Have double-sided business cards printed with the Japanese language, and keep them in a business card carrying case.
When exchanging business cards, thank the other person and bow slightly as you take it. Receive the card with both hands and hold it to examine the card closely with respect. Please note that you should avoid covering the company and person’s name on the card with your fingers.
If cards are exchanged while already seated, place the card on your case until you leave the table. Put the highest ranking person’s card on your case so that it is higher, with the junior staff’s cards beside it on the table.
It is unacceptable to make a note or otherwise write on someone’s business card.

Seating: Wait to be told where to sit

There is a protocol to be followed. If they tell you where to sit, you follow it. However basically guest(s) is/are supposed to be seated furthest from the door and host(s) is/are supposed to have a seat closer to the entrance door.

Note: In a taxi, back seats are for senior executives and the front seat is for the host or junior staff.

Clothing

Men should wear dark-colored (navy or black), business suits with a white shirt from around October to April and wear shirts without jackets or tie from around May to September as Japanese summers are very hot and humid. Do not wear a black suit with a white shirt and black tie because that is funeral attire. Japanese men typically have well-groomed short hairstyles. Japanese companies do not allow male employees to have beards, to shave their heads, nor have pierced ears.
Women should dress conservatively. Most Japanese companies do not allow female employees to wear jewelry, very short skirts or high-heeled shoes.

Business meeting

Silence is valued over talk.
Avoid writing in red ink, use black or blue.

Business meals

Don’t pour your own drinks. Let others pour your drinks and pour their drinks also.
Try to finish all the food on the plate. Leaving food on your plate can be considered wasteful and even rude.
Never stick your chopsticks into a bowl of rice upright as it is part of the funeral procedure in being the way to offer rice to the deceased.
Don’t use wet towels called “oshibori” to wipe your face or body. They are for wiping your hands.

Personal habits

Don’t make direct eye contact as it is often considered inappropriate.
Keep your hands out of your pockets while speaking to someone.
It would be seen as rude to point at people with a finger when gesturing. Use hands instead.
It would be very rude to chew gum while speaking with someone.
It would be nice to bring some food, drinks, or small gift when visiting someone at home.
Don’t blow your nose in public, if you have to, face away from other people.

Categories : Japan

Tags : Doing Business

India – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

India is a vast, populous, democratic, secular and diverse nation encompassing many different entities, languages, cultures and religions. Hence it is very difficult to make generalizations about Indian culture. A good understanding of the underlying values, beliefs and assumptions of Indian culture and how they manifest themselves in the market and workplace is essential for the success of a business.

Introduction & Greetings in India

A flexible approach is important and it is often best to be guided by the person with whom you are meeting. Etiquette requires a handshake, although some Indians may use the ‘Namaste’, a common greeting involving pressing your palms together with fingers pointing upwards, and accompanied by a slight bow. When entering a business meeting, always greet the most senior person first. When exchanging business cards, make sure to receive the card with your right hand and put it away respectfully.

In general Indians place importance on and prefer using formal titles. So if you are meeting a doctor or a professor they may expect or appreciate being addressed by their given title. The exception is of course if they indicate otherwise. Using a Mr. or Mrs. when addressing a colleague or someone senior is prefered. Women in the workplace are often addressed as Maam and men as Sir. The suffix Ji is commonly used especially when addressing someone senior both in age and in rank.

Business dress code mostly consists of smart, comfortable clothing. A lightweight suit is appropriate and ties are not compulsory, except in traditional sectors such as banking or law. Women are advised to wear a trouser suit rather than a skirt. Keep in mind that India has a diverse and seasonal climate, so it is not always hot. Delhi and other parts of north India can be extremely cold in winter. Hotels and offices can also have very cold air conditioning, so it is well worth packing a sweater, or of course a pashmina shawl.

Tips & Suggestions:

There are many India’s within India. India is a multilingual, multi-ethnic and pluralistic society, and vast cultural differences can be seen between North, East, West and South India.
Be aware of the cultural diversity and be cautious about generalisations. The great Cambridge economist Joan Robinson once observed: “Whatever you can rightly say about India, the opposite is also true.”
Be prepared for meetings to start and finish late and for interruptions to occur on a regular basis.
There is a more formal and hierarchical relationship between managers and staff in India.
Indians place great value on relationships: take the time to develop contacts and relationships.
Indians appreciate punctuality but may not reciprocate it.
Greeting Indian’s in their native language is usually a hit and makes best practice.

Categories : India

Tags : Doing Business

Taiwan – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

Taiwanese people are generally courteous and polite and emphasize form and ceremony. To do the “right“ thing is very important. Almost all adults growing up, at one time or another, are influenced by Confucian traditions and values. Chinese and Western cultures are not only different but often opposite. Understanding the differences may help to make life in Taiwan more interesting and less frustrating.

Some of the tips for understanding the general business etiquette:

Greeting

Exchanging name cards – Names and titles are very important to the Chinese and it is customary to exchange calling cards upon introduction. Keep them in your wallet at all times. Best to have the cards with Chinese and English at both sides. After shaking hands, present your business card with both hands. Do not throw your card down on the table. Always give a card if you have received one.
Punctuality is appreciated, but being a few minutes early or late is acceptable.
A nod of the head or a slight bow is considered polite for the first meeting. Handshakes are generally only for males who are friends.
Introductions are important. Always wait to have a third person to introduce you. At a party or business meeting, wait to be introduced by the host.

Meeting

Business people in Taiwan are hard bargainers and may try to gain concessions by wearing the other party down. Be patient. Do not push too hard or too fast in business.
If possible, bring a team of two to four people (one senior person with decision-making power). This enhances the status and image of executives and reflects on the seriousness of the meeting.

Decisions are made collectively and can be a lengthy process during negotiation. Once facts are established, agreements can sometimes be reached quickly.
Guan-xi means connections/personal relationships. Guan-xi is vital for business success in Taiwan. Taiwanese business people will want to know you personally before they do business with you.

Misleading Expression

Yes = “maybe” or “got it”

The Taiwanese are anxious to please people. Rather than disappoint another, a person will often agree to do something that he or she is unable to execute. They will generally not say “no” and instead say, “Understand and we’ll try”. The Westerner may become frustrated when he learns too late that “yes” really meant “maybe” or was just a polite substitute for a realistic “no”. The westerner considers this dishonest, whereas the Taiwanese person thinks it is polite.

Categories : Taiwan

Tags : Doing Business

Malaysia – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

Some quick tips to beginning a meeting successfully in Malaysia:

Dress Code

As Malaysia is a melting pot of different cultures, it’s best to dress conservatively until you are certain of the level of formality required.

For men, suits are usually worn but often without a jacket or tie at less formal meetings due to the hot climate. For more formal situations, it’s customary to wear a suit and tie.

For ladies, standard business clothing incorporates dresses, blouses and skirts and trouser suits. It’s important to be respectful to Muslim and Hindu beliefs, and, therefore, it’s advisable to wear blouses that cover the shoulders and upper arms and skirts which cover the knee. Occasionally when visiting some offices or government buildings, this is compulsory.

Tip: Some smaller offices may require you to remove your shoes when entering. Slip on shoes make this quicker!

The Greeting

While it is common especially in Europe and America to greet someone with a firm handshake, in Malaysia, due to its numerous ethnicities and religions, the form of greeting can differ somewhat.

Generally when greeting a member of the Chinese or Indian community it’s common to greet with a handshake although occasionally you may instead be met with a short bow, in this situation, it is best to bow your head in return and greet with a smile.

Malay women would not usually shake hands with members of the opposite sex. Unless they initiate a handshake, it’s best to greet them with a smile. Malay men have no qualms with shaking the hands of someone of their own gender but would hesitate again when it comes to someone from the opposite sex. Again, wait and see if they initiate the handshake, else a simple smile would suffice.

Tip: If you’re unsure of how you should greet someone, let them take the lead.

Business Cards

The exchanging of business cards is a very important ritual at any first meeting in Malaysia. Always be sure to accept business cards with your right hand (as left hands are considered dirty for the Malay or Indian community) or both hands for the Chinese community. Review the card fully before placing somewhere safe. If you struggle with names, leave the cards on the table in front of you for easy reference (just don’t get caught checking!)

Tip: If you aren’t sure how to pronounce the name of the person you are meeting, just ask! Due to the vast number of different cultures in Malaysia, it’s quite common to hear “how shall I address you?”

Icebreakers

Malaysian culture highly values the importance of building relationships and developing trust. This is often apparent throughout meetings, as many may begin with a polite chat between participants on how their business is performing or even what they’ve eaten for breakfast.

It’s worth investing this little extra time to get to know your business associates, they are often looking to see if you are someone trustworthy who they can rely upon to do business with.

Tip: Food is always a popular talking point in Malaysia with ‘have you had your breakfast’ being a very common ice breaker. Your Malaysian counterpart will be very impressed if you’ve eaten a local dish for breakfast!

Categories : Malaysia

Tags : Doing Business

New Zealand – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

New Zealanders are generally friendly outgoing and social, however can be somewhat reserved with people they do not know.

Humour goes a long way in New Zealand and as long as people demonstrate respect & honesty, trust will be given.

Business Meeting Etiquette

Meetings are scheduled ahead of time. Attendees are expected to be on time if not a few minutes early. Although meetings are serious events, they usually have a fairly relaxed atmosphere.

Small talk generally takes place between attendees, before meeting commences
Greeting someone with a hand shake and making and maintaining eye contact is regarded polite. A person would be considered rude not to look someone in the eye.

Personal space is important.

People are interested in facts – emotions or feelings are not needed in the NZ business climate. Do not exaggerate on facts. People want the truth at all times.

People say what they mean.

Business people are assessed on the accurate information conveyed not on the credentials of the individual.

Negotiations in New Zealand

High-Pressure sales techniques are not received well in New Zealand, they generally will not work in the sellers favour.

Keeping your proposals brief and to the point is always appreciated. New Zealanders are not impressed with ongoing detail that is not straight to the point. New Zealanders are very direct, not aggressive and would expect the same in return
The negotiating process can take time in New Zealand, you must be patient.

Bargaining is not common in New Zealand culture therefore you must start your pricing at a realistic figure.

All terms and conditions must be outlined and explained upfront.

Keep to your word and never overpromise.

Titles and Business Cards

New Zealanders move quickly to first names after introductions. However written communication to begin with should be more formal by using titles, Mr., Mrs, Miss etc. Emails are generally conducted on first name basis.

It is common upon meeting someone to handover a business card however there is no strict protocol.

Written Communications

New Zealanders mean what they say. There are no hidden messages in written communications.

Categories : New Zealand

Tags : Doing Business

China – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

No matter the country, meetings are an integral part of day-to-day activities within businesses. However, it is often easy to forget that there are different cultural norms and etiquette that need to be considered within the business context. Here are some of our tips for conducting meetings with Chinese businesses.

The meeting process is very formal – from setting a meeting up, the conduct of the meeting, to formal negotiations. Once a meeting time has been secured, it is important to be on time to demonstrate that the counterparts’ time is valued and respected.

Discussions occur between senior people – during discussions, the two most senior people from each organisation do the talking. The other people in the room may only speak if they have been asked prior to the meeting to contribute, or if they are addressed during the meeting.

Business Cards – business cards must be exchanged at the start of the meeting. It is important to present business cards with both hands. Ensure that business cards have details in English on one side, and in Mandarin on the other side. When receiving a business card, read the card carefully, and do not write on the card or put the card in a back pocket.

Seating Arrangements – typically, the Chinese team will sit on one side of the table the foreigners will sit on the other side of the table. Seating is also arranged by rank.

Greetings and Farewells – both of these things are done in order of seniority. When addressing people, it is good to address them with their title together and surname. Be careful not to become too casual and friendly too quickly. It is a sign of respect to say farewell to the senior visitor at the entrance of the building rather than at the door of the meeting room.

Humour is not understood – sarcasm and jokes do not always translate well and therefore are not well understood. It is best not to make jokes during meetings or discussions.

Formality – remember that there is an expectation for lengthy discussions and formality during these meetings. Many times, foreigners perceive these longer meetings as “fluff” and as a waste of time. However, in the same way, Chinese people may regard a foreigner’s approach as too direct. Patience is therefore the key to success.

Body Language (eye contact) – it is important to make occasional eye contact, however do not do this for too long as that is regarded as rude. To combat this, look to the side and move gazes around the room. If there is an interpreter in the room, ensure that eye contact is not maintained with the interpreter

Body language (hand gestures) – do not point or wag fingers as this is considered as inappropriate behaviour.

Silence – do not feel uncomfortable by silences or try to break silences. Chinese do not feel uncomfortable about silence, whereas foreigners feel that they need to fill the gap or make concessions to move the meeting along.

Categories : China

Tags : Doing Business

Thailand – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

In general, Thai people are quite relaxed and accommodating to foreigners and will rarely take offense if mistakes are made in relation to common Thai etiquette. That said – as in any country – there are still some important guidelines to keep in mind, concerning certain actions or comments to avoid, and for areas where Thai culture may seem conservative to Western expats.

How to greet

The very first step or action in any meeting, and before further interaction can take place, is to greet (or ‘Wai’) your counterpart and all participants and members of the group. The ‘Wai’, as it’s called in Thai language, is performed by pressing the palms of your hands together, as if in prayer, then simultaneously lowering the head and raising the hands towards the ridge of your nose.

There are ‘rules’ related to how to properly ‘Wai’ other people, which mostly have to do with ‘seniority’/status but, as foreigners are generally not expected to be familiar with the finer nuances, any mistakes are excused. Briefly, however, it should be kept in mind that the lower the head is bowed the more respect is shown; in general, the younger person is expected to initiate the ‘Wai’; and it is not common practice (for adults) to ‘Wai’ children or service/waiting staff (e.g. hotel/restaurant employees etc.).

General Courtesy

The Thais are generally ‘soft spoken’ and respectful to others. In the Thai context, this also means trying to avoid direct confrontations and contradictions of other viewpoints. This is difficult to grasp and work around (initially) for many foreigners – but important to keep in mind nonetheless. Directly contradicting others is often considered ‘aggressive’ and can cause the counterpart to ‘loose face’.

Causing others to ‘loose face’, notably in public/meeting settings, must be avoided at all costs. Therefore, should you be compelled to have to give a ‘negative reply’ or present an opposing viewpoint, try to find an indirect or discreet way to raise your concern. For example, this could be by introducing your view as ‘an alternative’ or as a ‘speculation’/’wondering’ (“what if…” or “perhaps you already thought of..”).

It can be said of Thai social interactions, in general, that public and open displays of anger or negative feelings should be avoided altogether – in fact, displays of personal emotions are generally kept from the public domain and, with that, Thai society is sometimes perceived as ‘conservative’ by foreigners.

Meeting process and attire

According to Thai custom, it is preferred to build relationships before actually discussing business. Therefore, a very direct ‘to the point’ approach, as is common in some Western cultures, can not generally be expected. Patience, on the other hand, is important as several meetings may be required to really start making progress, while time also should be allowed for any issues to be discussed repeatedly ‘at different levels’ – with and without your participation.

It is normal for initial meetings to be organized around meals, entertainment or drinks, not only in order to discuss personal relations and build the relationship, but also because Thais simply value enjoyment (Khwam Sanuk). When a business card is offered, it should be received with the right (or both) hands – and do take time to read it and perhaps attach a polite comment.

Thailand is conservative when it comes to business dress code as (for men) dark suits, white shirt and a tie is expected for formal meetings. Women should wear ‘conservatively’ styled dresses or suits. Skirts can be worn but should always be at least knee-length and shoulders should always be covered. Do ensure to always wear socks with no holes in them, as occasions may occur where removal of shoes is required.

As a more generic guideline, the below cautions should always be observed in any interaction in Thailand and may, or may not, become relevant in a business related setting:

Any Buddha images or effigies should always be treated respectfully
Negative comments about the monarch or the royal family/institution itself should be avoided and is punishable by law (NB: legal action is not uncommon)
As per Thai tradition, a person’s head is considered ‘sacred’ – i.e. do not touch another person’s head and also avoid reaching or passing something over another person’s head. Reversely, the feet are considered ‘low and dirty’ and, as such, do not use your feet to point at things and try to avoid having your feet pointing directly at someone when in a seated position (on the floor)
It is most common to remove your shoes/footwear when entering a Thai home

In general, Thais are very welcoming and accommodating to foreigners and will not easily take offense over mistakes made out of unfamiliarity – most important is simply to observe and try to follow what is being done. Be polite, ‘soft spoken’ and open minded – and don’t be shy to ask questions, as they will normally be received positively and with eager attempts explain.

Welcome to Thailand!

Categories : Thailand

Tags : Doing Business

Philippines – Meeting Etiquette

Posted by reloc8apg

· 1st July 2017

Doing business in the Philippines relies heavily on personal relationships. Ideally, introductions should be arranged through a third party. One must allot a significant amount of time for socializing to build rapport and familiarity.

Basic tips:

Arrange appointments in advance, but telephone shortly before to reconfirm. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. English is the main business language.
It is acceptable to be up to 15 minutes late for meetings but it is best to be punctual even when others are not.
Normal business attire for men is a formal suit and tie, or the local-style long-sleeved shirt. For women, a modest suit or dress may be brightly colored.
Address people by their professional title if they have one (e.g. Dr., Architect or Attorney); or by Mr., Mrs. or Ms. preceding their surname. First name terms, or the nicknames often used by Filipinos will follow soon after, especially if they are at ease with you.
Normal greetings include a handshake with a smile. Refrain from intense eye contact as this is considered rude and confrontational.
Business cards are exchanged following initial greetings, and should be inspected subtly. Unlike in other Asian countries, the exchange of business cards is not overly formalized. Yet, it is still of importance. Present and receive business cards with both hands. Your title and position should be reflected on the card as this indicates the influence and status you may have.
Initial meetings are mainly to get to know one another. Formal negotiations rarely occur during the first meeting. Some small talk is expected. Be prepared to be asked about a lot of (harmless) personal questions about your marital status or even about business endeavors. You may, of course, politely side-step these questions.
Communication styles are courteous, reserved and most often indirect. Filipinos will try to avoid a direct refusal or confrontation as this may cause someone to “lose face”, which is unacceptable. To raise your voice, show impatience, or to interrupt your business partner is considered terribly disrespectful.
Business culture is hierarchical with decisions being made at the top of the organization but based on prior consensus from others. Decision-makers may not be present at meetings but will be briefed afterwards. Negotiations are often held outside the office, in social venues or on the golf course. Be prepared for a lengthy decision-making process.

Categories : Philippines

Tags : Doing Business

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