SIMON NAUDI EXPLORES SOME CULTURAL DIFFERENCES FOR MEETING PLANNERS TO BE AWARE OF IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY ETIQUETTE FAILS AND SHOW THEY REALLY CAN EMPATHISE AND RESPECT

t is almost impossible to organise a meeting or conference without being aware of gender and pronouns , race , religion and culture . Perhaps because many are not visible or obvious it becomes easy to play down their significance .

Cultural issues will have an impact on every aspect at an event from location – in Europe and the United States a location close to a bathroom is not usually an issue whereas in the Far and Middle East will be less popular – through to personal space .

Westerners often have a need for much greater personal space than our Eastern cousins and this in turn could influence the layout of your meeting or event . Using your left hand to pass a document to a client can be frowned upon , as will

treating a business card as merely a piece of paper to a Japanese audience . In a meeting , it ’ s common for Japanese clients to lay out the business cards ( which are always treated with respect as is a two-handed approach ) to reflect the seating around the table .

Hospitality is far more important in the Middle East and Far East and offering food or a car wash to delegates will be far better received than free parking or cold drinks . Look at feedback sheets to see how highly catering is regarded in Asia and how important to satisfaction ratings .

It is not that long ago that we were advised to wear padded suits in order to look ‘ fat ’ and prosperous for Middle Eastern cultures , and we have to be mindful of where we point our feet with some Asian cultures , as well as avoiding public displays of affection never mind touching a Thai ’ s head . In South Korea for example age is very important as this signifies how much respect you are due , so it ’ s not uncommon for the first interaction to include them asking your age .

No , Yes , Maybe … It is also a minefield to understand the difference between Yes , No and Maybe !

Above : Simon Naudi

“ Cultural differences extend throughout business . Everything from seating patterns to signage can be impacted .”

Some cultures are very reluctant to say ‘ No ’ even if they have no intention of doing business with you . This can be very frustrating for some when chasing up a proposal or trying to get a definitive answer .

What can be seen as a bribe in one culture may be expected in another and knowing to whom and how much to pass over facilitates a better experience . Many businesses in fact have a budget line for such transactions .

If you are organising meetings or conferences overseas , then invest in good translation of your signage . A well-known speaker once arrived determined to open his speech using the local language and memorised the signs outside the toilets . Instead of the greeting he expected he announced , in German ‘ Welcome Ladies and Gentleman ’ s Urinals !’ Likewise , a native speaker to hand will pay dividends if you are not business fluent in their language .

Don ’ t assume reaching for the sky will be difficult . Few realise how easy it can be ( and important ) to attract / invite government ministers and royalty to visit , open or say a few words at your event in the Middle East and how that will boost your delegate and participant numbers . There is normally an entourage who will ‘ support ’ anything their senior officials attend .