Multinationals are directly affected by the global health epidemics.
In 2002, more than six million people—most of them in poor countries—died from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. These three diseases, plus a handful of others, have crippled economic growth and progress in developing countries.
Most multinational executives don't understand the impact their companies could have on the public-health sector. The causes of the problem may be complex and so are the solutions, but its implications are startlingly clear: companies that seek to benefit from globalization also have a vested interest in helping to manage the global health crisis—indeed, a moral, strategic, and financial responsibility to do so. (The McKinsey Quarterly, 2003 Special Edition)
Business Students Say Diversity Awareness Key to Corporate Success
Forty-four percent of U.S. business students say the ability to work with multiple cultures and markets is the most important attribute needed for an executive to be successful during the next five years, according to Clark Consulting. (reported by diversityinc.com July 12, 2004)
Vietnam Takes Delivery of Boeing Plane (Yahoo news)
Sep 19, 2004
Vietnam Airlines on Sunday took delivery of a Boeing 777-200ER, which is estimated to cost $700 million, flown in from Seattle. Washington state Gov. Gary Locke flew to Hanoi to head the delegation pursuing more business opportunities with Vietnam. The United States is now Vietnam 's largest trading partner.
Rich Asians snapping up world's most expensive mobile phones (Yahoo news)
Sept. 19, 2004
Self-made millionaires, celebrities, high-flying professionals and ladies who lunch are flashing Vertus made of precious metals, ceramic and leather at one another in Asia 's corporate boardrooms and country clubs.
"It's seen as an achievement icon," Eric Lee, Vertu's sales director for the Southeast Asian and Pacific region, told AFP. "Deep down inside they are not looking for gadgets and cameras, they are buying into an attitude."
A Vertu mobile phone costs from $4,000 to $30,000. The most avid buyers in Asia are mainland and Hong Kong Chinese, Indonesians and Singaporeans, and some Russians and even a few Vietnamese visitors to Singapore have been spotted buying the "luxury communication instrument", fast becoming the newest status symbol in Asia.
Cultural and Communication Barriers Are of the Greatest Challenges When Conducting Business In China
Business Wire, Nov 20, 2003
"When you put it into perspective, China houses one-fifth of the world's population. That in itself accounts for an increased labor market and opportunities for companies to conduct business in this region," said Margery Marshall, president, Prudential Relocation. "There are a number of differences between operating a company in the United States and operating a company in China. You have to take into consideration the cultural differences, expectations, respect issues, not to mention the different labor laws and varying labor market."
Some questions that Prudential Relocalocation asked on their survey:
Question 1: What best describes your current approach to doing business in China
A. 61% Currently evaluating doing business in China
B. 8% Mostly hiring expatriates
C. 29% Mostly hiring locals
D. 1% Tried but no longer doing business in China
1% No response
Question 2: If you asked for directions in China, people will almost always give them to you, even if they don't always know them?
A. 84% True
B. 14% False
1% No response
Question 3: What is your greatest challenge doing business in China?
Of the responses, the most common items mentioned included:
-- Communication barriers
-- Cultural differences
Question 4: What is the one thing you would like to get out of this seminar?
Of the responses, the most common items mentioned included:
-- A better understanding of the Chinese culture, socially and in
the business environment
-- How to conduct business in China
-- Business strategies
The Strait of Malacca (From the Economist)
Jun 10th 2004
If terrorists were determined to devastate the world economy, it would be hard to find a better target than the Strait of Malacca.
The Strait of Malacca, off the coast of Malaysia and Singapore, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is the shortest sea route between three of the world's most populous countries -- India, China, and Indonesia -- and therefore is considered to be the key oil choke point in Asia. A quarter of the world's maritime trace, on which Japan, China and South Korea depend on, pass through the strait every year. the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore last week. Tony Tan, Singapore 's deputy prime minister, pointed out that a ship sunk in the right spot, where the sea lane is only 25m deep, “would cripple world trade”. He also raised the possibility of hijacked ships being turned into “floating bombs” and crashed into critical infrastructure such as oil refineries or ports.
For more on world oil transit choke points: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/choke.html
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Filipino Business Norms
Asia Business Strategy
Indian Women
Communicating Cross- Culturally In India
International Business Etiquette
GLOBALISATION: What on earth is it about? From BBC News.com
Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
Denmark Business Culture
When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.
Aug. 6, 2004 (from diversityinc.com)
