Bribery and Corruption

In many countries, bribery and corruption are part of the business lifestyle. “Greasing the wheels” is expected for government services.

Culture Clue #4

North Americans begin getting to know people by asking a lot of questions. In Latin America, it is safer to talk about local or regional topics.  Personal questions are often interpreted as prying.

What are your experiences in this regard.  I would love some comments.

US Trade Policies Disadvantaged Companies

Ironically, it was the leadership role of the U.S. after World War II that led to the shift in trade positions. American policymakers have long seen the U.S. as the leading country in world power and trade. This opinion brought with it a sense of obligation to assist other countries with their trade efforts.

Retailers "Scream" Discrimination

This little story from 2002 illustrates the harms of trade restrictions:

For years, retailers from Wal-Mart and Target to tiny fancy-goods outlets have counted on low-cost imports from China to scare up sales at Halloween. A cheap polyester ghoul robe, along with a "Scream" mask retails for less than $20.  Classed as "flimsy festive articles," party-goods suppliers imported them duty free -- until U.S. Halloween giant, Rubie's Costume Company, got them reclassified as "fancy dress apparel."

What Does the WTO do?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international body dealing with the rules of trade between nations.  At the core of the WTO are agreements, negotiated and signed by most of the world's trading nations.  These documents provide legal ground rules for international commerce.  Their goal is to help the producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct business in the global marketplace.

The WTO supplanted the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in early 1995.  The WTO has three main purposes:

Medical Tourism: The Christmas Gift for Global Healthcare

Co-written with James G. Dale

Consumers and providers of medical services in the United States search for opportunities to cut costs. Increasingly, it is possible to find lower-priced care alternatives abroad.

Culture Dimensions

Cultural awareness is key in any international business activity.  Cultural divides should be accounted for in marketing, negotiations, product design, and other important decisions.  One must analytically consider the best way to promote a product given the target audience.

It is argued that differences among cultures can be explained according to four dimensions of culture:

The End of Corruption?

I just attended a breakfast meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The meeting was sponsored by Transparency International and focused on the need to continue reducing global corruption.

Several thoughts stand out:

Some Video Comments on the New Global Realities

Here is a video in which I comment on the effects of the recession on global business and decision making.

Marketing Management Column #2 - Part 2

A continuation of my second column in Marketing Management. 
Read it after the jump.