Cross Cultural Differences: CANADA

Group Member Names:

Gaurav KUMAR Heena Jain Ishan Mishra Mannu Khanna Palak Thukral Priya Vatsalam Rohit SHARMA Swati Jain Vasu KUMAR Vishal Gupta

National Cultural Variables for Canada

Dimension How will this impact your communication what will you do, say, behave, act... How will you communicate Literacy level is quite high..with parity between males and females. So you got to treat females at par with males while dealing with them in any business situation. Highly intellectual people to deal with.

Education attitude Level of education of managers Women s education Percentage of budget

Laws & Regulation Codes to be followed Enforcement in own and other country

Immigration laws are relaxed. So, sending a team of business professionals across is easy. But it also means a highly heterogenous population, demanding a detailed demographic study before starting any venture there.

National Cultural Variables for Canada

Politics Changes in the last 5 years Govt. support for outside investors/ joint ventures Protocols to be respected Economics Economic changes Govt support for changes Movement of funds Parliamentary Democracy; which implies every one has got a fair chance of setting up and running business there. Great emphasis on human rights & hence business friendly. Economic position is very strong, even w.r.t. its immediate neighbour USA; trade surpluses, healthy budget Government is able to fund new ventures No shedding of labour Major language spoken is English with high emphasis on correct usage of grammar. However even in business context, communication may tend to be casual at times eg. Using first names (Hi John!) and so on. Due to high no. of immigrants, French as well as Punjabi are also common.

Language Commonly used language, level of ease Protocol for communication Interpreter

National Cultural Variables for Canada

Dimension Description in country How will this impact your communication what will you do, say, behave, act... How will you communicate Will have to respect specially Christians If Employees work on such holidays: A. The employee must either receive a day off in lieu of the holiday B. He must be paid at a premium rate usually 1 (known as "time and a half") or twice (known as "double time") the regular pay for their time worked that day, in addition to the holiday pay.

Religion Beliefs that will affect business relationships Holidays and impact

Religion:77% claim adherence to Christianity, followed by no religion at 16% Statutory holiday(Public Holiday) New Year's Day(Jan 1) Good Friday(Friday before Easter Day) Canada Day(July 1) Labour Day(First Monday in September) Christmas Day(Dec 25) Easter Monday(Monday after Easter Day) Victoria Day(Monday on or before May 24)

Culture Comparison Individual

Dimension Description of Country Impact on communication Time linear vs. circular Impact on business decisions Is time valuable Time is Money ,the North Americans lives this phrase. In America, time is a very important commodity. People 'save' time and 'spend' time as if it were money in the bank. Americans ascribe personality characteristics and values based on how people use time. For example, people who are on-time are considered to be good people, reliable people who others can count on. Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal in North America Table manners are generally Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. So, we will make sure that we are punctual for all the formal and informal meetings, so as to make a positive impression.

Food

Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal in North America.

Personal behavior acceptable / non acceptable

open-minded and are proud of their multicultural and diverse population Be on time for both professional and social occasions Personal interaction is often informal, but respectful in conversation and behavior Equality between genders is a commonly held understanding "Thank you" is said a lot! Jokes or comments that are insulting to people s race, religion, gender, disability, or appearance are not acceptable Personal questions about such things as age, salary, marital status, relationships, and the cost of personal items are not generally acceptable unless you know the person well.

We need to take care of all the mentioned points in our day to day professional and personal life.

Culture Comparison Individual

Dimension Time linear vs. circular Impact on business decisions Is time valuable Description of Country Time is Money ,the North Americans lives this phrase. In America, time is a very important commodity. People 'save' time and 'spend' time as if it were money in the bank. Americans ascribe personality characteristics and values based on how people use time. Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal in North America Table manners are generally Continental, i.e. the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. One should wait to be shown to his/her seat. One should not begin eating until the hostess starts. . Impact on communication For example, people who are ontime are considered to be good and reliable people who others can count on. So, we will make sure that we are punctual for all the formal and informal meetings, so as to make a positive impression. Table manners are relatively relaxed and informal in North America. One should not rest his/her elbows on the table. One can feel free to refuse individual foods or drink without offering an explanation. Leaving a small amount at the end of the meal is generally acceptable

Food

Culture Comparison Individual

Dimension Manners / etiquette Description of Country Gift Giving In general, Canadians give gifts for birthdays and Christmas. If invited to someone's home for dinner, take a box of good chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine. In Quebec, sending flowers in advance of the dinner party is proper protocol. In Quebec, if you give wine, make sure it is of the highest quality you can afford. Do not give white lilies as they are used at funerals. Do not give cash or money as a present. Gifts are usually opened when received. . Impact on communication Our actions speak louder than words. We are being checked and looked on every minute details. A wrong gesture by bad manners forms a negative impression about us in their minds. This impression can influence our objective of doing business. Therefore I have to be very careful in meeting,greeting,talking,exchanging gifts and at dinning.

Dimension

How will this impact your communication what will you do, say, behave, act... How will you communicate

Dress Generally speaking, Canadians dress more conservatively (and more formally when going out) than their American neighbors, although practices vary by region. Dress in Vancouver, for example, is somewhat more casual; in Toronto more British. French Canadians dress in a more relaxed European style than their fellow Canadians. For business meetings, men should wear suits and ties; women should wear conservative suits or dresses. Weather is also taken into account for dressing up since it s very cold out there. Decision Making I have to be clear and unambiguous while communicating to avoid any misunderstanding and doubts Decisions are made quick on facts & not on promises

Dimension

How will this impact your communication what will you do, say, behave, act... How will you communicate

Space Desired proximity must be maintained between me and the other persons talking to. An arm length is must between two people talking but not more than that Meeting and Greeting Canadian businesspeople often begin relationships in a reserved manner; once people get to know one another is becomes friendly and informal. Canadians appreciate politeness and expect others to adhere to the proper protocol for any given situation. In Quebec, have one side of your business card translated into French. Hand the card so the French side faces the recipient.

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