Question

Required information Preparing for a Cross- Cultural Meeting Cross-cultural business meetings often have high stakes. Sometimes the company is paying a great deal of travel money for the communication to take place; sometimes the communication can help or hinder the gaining of an important client; and sometimes an important business partnership rides on the effectiveness of the communication. This activity will test your understanding of how to prepare yourself for such meetings. Read the case and answer the questions that follow. You work for Innovations Data Solutions, an international company specializing in secure data storage. Your company has arranged for you to travel to Berlin to negotiate a sales contract with Scheidt Pharmaceuticals. This will be your first business dealings with a German company, so you need to prepare wisely for this cross-cultural encounter.

You learn that Germans tend to be monochronic. This means that Multiple Choice a. in Germany, even people who have worked together for years may not be on a first-name basis. b. it will probably be frowned upon if you arrive late for your meeting. c. they focus on the present rather than the past. d. they feel a great deal of loyalty toward their employers. e. they are likely to want to spend time getting to know you before getting down to business.

Answer 1

It will probably be frowned upon if you arrive late for your meeting.

Answer 2

The correct answer is b. It will probably be frowned upon if you arrive late for your meeting.

Monochronic cultures, like Germany, place a high value on punctuality and keeping to schedules. Therefore, it is important to arrive on time or even a few minutes early for a business meeting in Germany to show respect for the other party's time and to avoid causing offense. In contrast, polychronic cultures place less emphasis on punctuality and may be more flexible with time.

Knowing about cultural differences such as these is crucial when preparing for a cross-cultural business meeting to avoid cultural misunderstandings and to build rapport with the other party. It's also important to research and understand the business practices, communication styles, and etiquette of the host country to make a positive impression and facilitate effective communication during the meeting.

Step-by-step explanation: