There are many kinds of people in this world that come from different groups. Everyone has a different culture than the person standing next to them.
Understanding another culture can be hard and may take a while, but did you know that understanding this concept can help you with your business?
According to Marriam-Webster, culture is defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. When it comes to managing a business, some practices can be inappropriate for certain cultures. If you want to be successful, you don’t want to offend anyone, it’s better to understand these differences.
Whether you want to increase sales, reduce human resource issues, or just want to learn more about international cultures, check out these five books that can help you understand the importance of culture and how it can benefit your business!
1. Kiss Bow or Shake Hands: The Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries
by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway
“This is a must-have guide to proper international business protocol. The book covers countries such as China and India and the practices, customs, and philosophies can’t afford you need to know in the business landscape.”
2. Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Sales and Marketing: The Essential Cultural Guide―From Presentations and Promotions to Communicating and Closing
by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway
“This is an informative, entertaining guide that shows you what to do—and what to avoid—in any given sales or marketing situation, from Argentina to South Africa. It provides the expert knowledge you need to gather data in diverse cultures, properly present your products, and close deals around the world.”
3. The Culture Map
by Erin Meyer
“In The Culture Map, Erin Meyer is your guide through this subtle, sometimes treacherous terrain in which people from starkly different backgrounds are expected to work harmoniously together. She provides a field-tested model for decoding how cultural differences impact international business and combines a smart analytical framework with practical, actionable advice.”
4. The Culture Code: An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around the World Live and Buy as They Do
by Clotaire Rapaille
“In The Culture Code, internationally revered cultural anthropologist and marketing expert Clotaire Rapaille reveals for the first time the techniques he has used to improve profitability and practices for dozens of Fortune 100 companies. His groundbreaking revelations shed light not just on business but on the way every human being acts and lives around the world.”
5. Bridge the Culture Gaps: A toolkit for effective collaboration in the diverse, global workplace
by Robert Gibson
“Bridge The Culture Gaps provides readers with a framework for developing key skills essential for effective global collaboration in the VUCA world. These include reflecting on the experience, understanding the nature and impact of culture, and the importance of diversity for business success.”