Multiculturalism: The New Reality

Written by Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach


Multiculturalism is a reality inrepparttar US and for those of us who do business globally. The US has more legal immigrants yearly than allrepparttar 105472 other countries inrepparttar 105473 world combined.

Also there are vast cultural differences among "native" Americans living inrepparttar 105474 US for several generations, as you know if you've done business with a New Yorker (better be quick!)or bi'ness with a Texan (better stand at a 90% angle to your male companion).

Culture is neither ethnic nor racial. It is learned and each culture is different. Treat everyone like a unique individual, as you would like to be treated, don't get hung up on stereotypes, and develop your emotional intelligence so you can be more intuitive about how to communicate with, negotiate with, and provide services and products for people from cultural backgrounds other than your own.

SOUTH TEXAS TWO-STEP

In South Texas, if you're talking to a male, he will stand at a 90% angle to you.

If you move to reorient, a "dance" will begin. This is a markedly non-intimate position (macho), and oftenrepparttar 105475 eyes are cast down atrepparttar 105476 floor or out acrossrepparttar 105477 floor, not atrepparttar 105478 other party.

South Texans generally say "Pleased to know you," while Mid Westerners say, "Pleased to meet you" or "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

More from San Antonio, Texas – in a strictly social setting, it’s not customary to shake hands with women. In society, there’srepparttar 105479 haute hug – two women will parody a hug with no part of their body touching, just tapping each other onrepparttar 105480 back. Often with an older, respected person, or to express affection with respect, you shake hands, then cover their and your hands with your left hand, patting or stroking while maintaining eye contact.

MOST CULTURES OF THE WORLD DON’T GREET BY SHAKING HANDS

People from Asian cultures bow in greeting, butrepparttar 105481 bows are different.

People from Cambodia and Laos bow with their hands inrepparttar 105482 prayer position in front ofrepparttar 105483 chest. In Japan,repparttar 105484 depth ofrepparttar 105485 bow signifiesrepparttar 105486 level of respect forrepparttar 105487 other party. Many Koreans prefer bowing and if they shake hands,repparttar 105488 right hand is supported atrepparttar 105489 wrist byrepparttar 105490 left hand to show respect. Thais bow with palms together about chest-high with their fingers outstretched. And, there are exceptions. The Taiwanese usually nodrepparttar 105491 head in recognition rather than bow.

HUGGING AND KISSING

Native Hawaiians hug each other, exchanging breaths in a custom called “aha.” Mexicans userepparttar 105492 abrazo (hug).

If your Cuban male client kisses you onrepparttar 105493 cheek, you know you've maderepparttar 105494 short list. Immigrant men fromrepparttar 105495 Middle East often shake hands with a slight nod or bow and then exchange kisses on both cheeks. They don’t shake hands with women, or introducerepparttar 105496 woman they’re with. Men in Eastern Europe, Portugal, Spain and Italy will often kiss male friends onrepparttar 105497 cheek.

THE SALAAM

Pakistanis greet with salaam,repparttar 105498 equivalent of our "hello" – bowing withrepparttar 105499 palm ofrepparttar 105500 right hand onrepparttar 105501 forehead.

Online Press Rooms Save the Media Time and Frustration

Written by Marcia Yudkin


When Web site usability guru Jakob Nielsen tested how well major corporate sites metrepparttar needs of reporters, he gave them a "D" grade. Journalists who tested sites for him located basic information such asrepparttar 105471 companies' financials, management team, commitment to social responsibility and a phone number for a PR contact only 60 percent ofrepparttar 105472 time.

An excellent way to meet reporters', editors' and producers' needs is online press room, collecting what they need to know about your organization in one place. Some sites offer this as a subchoice under "About Us," while others have a major link called "Press Room," "Forrepparttar 105473 Press" or "Forrepparttar 105474 Media." By providing press-friendly materials on demand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you increaserepparttar 105475 odds of someone writing about you, using photos you've supplied and doing so with accuracy.

Your online press room should contain, at a minimum:

* An organizational profile

* Names and bios of principals and executives of your organization

* A PR contact with name, email address and telephone number

* Press releases, presented withrepparttar 105476 most recent first

Optional extras for your press room include:

* Online versions of recent annual reports or white papers

* Downloadable photos of products or key personnel

* Statements about relevant controversial issues currently inrepparttar 105477 news

* Suggested angles for feature stories including your organization

* Sample questions for talk show hosts

* Links to pertinent studies, statistics and news stories

* Links to previous coverage you've enjoyed

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