What makes the Australians "tick?" - Guidelines for working and doing business with Australians

1. WORKING WITH
AUSTRALIANS

2. QUOTE
• “Australia rode to prosperity on the sheep’s
back. Wool and other farm exports paved the
way for it to become the Asia Pacific’s no 5
economy. But these days, it’s not sheep on
which Australia is riding, but a Chinese dragon
because the real boon for Australia is in its
abundance of raw materials which China –
and increasingly India, needs to thrive” –
Bloomberg news journalist

3. QUOTES ABOUT AUSTRALIANS
•
“Australians are, I have found, ready to laugh at themselves if they think that the
joke is funny and the humour not ill-directed. And the ability to be selfdeprecating is the mark of confidence “ Soumya Bhattacharya
•
“The idea that Englishmen are made of paste and the Australian is steel all
through, I have found to be universal” A Trollope
•
“Australia is a huge rest home, where no unwelcome news is ever put on to the
pages of the worst newspapers in the world. “ Germaine Greer
•
“Australia is about as far away as you can get. I like that.”
•
“There is something of the cowboy in every American, but a little bit of the sheep
station in most Australians “ Matthew Parris
•
“You have no need to feel iffy about a country where "relaxation is the aim".
There's nothing to be worried about if "no worries" is your mantra” Soumya
Bhattacharya
Andre Benjamin

4. AUSTRALIAN EXPRESSIONS WHICH
REFLECT THEIR CULTURE
•
"A fair go" (equality)
•
“The tall poppy syndrome”
(dislike of arrogance)
•
"Live and let live"
(independence)
•
•
"Give it a go" (practicality)
•
"Laid back" (informality)
•
“My mate …(group identity)
•
“No worries” ( suffering in
silence)
"Call a spade a bloody shovel"
(directness)

5. “NO WORRIES”
•
Irrespective of whether they have just lost two legs in a car accident or their business
has just collapsed, Australians try to maintain a facade of cheerfulness.
•
If you feel the need to talk about your problems, it is more polite to try to turn the
problem into a funny story.
•
The reasons for no worries mantra is best understood by appreciating that Australia
was built by victims – prisoners and refugees.
•
" In Australia, silent composure under suffering is strictly prescribed by convict
etiquette."
•
If you consider yourself to be a victim, bear in mind that Australia is a country where
respect is given to underdogs who stand up for themselves. The victim that doesn't
stand up for themselves, or needs someone else to fight for their cause, will gain no
respect

6. DIRECTNESS
• Although extremely direct, this does not mean
that their English is always understood
• Slang plays a big part in their communication
style and its not always direct
• Failure to say what you mean and mean what you
say can be mistaken for hypocrisy
• Keep away from hard sell and too much self
promotion – keep to factual descriptions

7. THE IMPORTANCE OF
HUMOUR
• Humour is an essential part of the Australian personality.
Their humour is often aimed at themselves or their country,
and is often self-deprecating
• If you are teased, you are expected to reply in kind, with
good humor. Such self-confidence will increase an Australian's
respect for you
• Australians like to joke about tragedies as a way of coping
with them in a way that, for instance, the more sentimental
Americans would find rather inappropriate
• More than anything Australians enjoy baiting foreigners. It is
their way of making you feel at home

8. INFORMALITY
• Where else in the world would you read this notice in the
company lobby: You may notice that the person you have
come to see is dressed casually. We like to respect the way
our employees prefer to dress. But be assured, although
they may look casual, they mean business..
• It would be easy to see and treat Australian culture as lax
But assuming that informality is the same as laxity could
bring big trouble. Informality is NOT laxity
• Martin Sims, a Sydney-based intercultural consultant, puts
it: .I read laxity as laziness. Informality is different in the
Aussie context. Informality means using first names,
sometimes calling people ..Mate., feet on chair, not sitting
up straight

9. AUSTRALIAN HUMOR
•
Honest , cynical, black
•
Aimed at friends and at themselves
•
Breaking the rules
•
The fool
•
Inaccurate stereotypes
•
Australian machos
•
Drinking
•
The outbacks
•
Mates

10. MATES
Australians place a high value on relationships.
With a relatively small population, it is important to
get along with everyone, since you never know
when your paths may cross again.
This leads to a win-win negotiating style, since
having everyone come away with positive feelings
helps facilitate future business dealings.

11. EGALITARIANISM AND
MANAGEMENT STYLE
•
Coming from a convict heritage, they have a healthy disrespect for
authority
•
They respect the boss who is willing to get his hands dirty – but in reality
they don't expect him to do it too often
•
Very important not to be arrogant and think you are “something special”
•
Organizations are fairly non-hierarchical
•
Status ascribed through achievements – you are only as good as your last
decision or action
•
We want to be left to get on with the job, and to have the confidence of
the boss that we CAN do it
•
Management style is very inclusive and encourages open debate
•
Challenging the ideas of the boss is a sign of a fully committed professional
approach

12. EGALITARIANISM AND ‘TEAM
PLAYER’
• Being seen as a good team player is extremely
important
• Creating a positive feel is seen as a key management
function and “bonding” sessions are common – eating
and drinking together are actively encouraged
• Anyone who tries to make themselves better or wishes
to be successful at the expense of someone else is
rejected
• Competition should be externally focused

13. MEETINGS
•
Punctuality is very important – but meetings can start up to 10 mins late
•
Few minutes small talk before business
•
Post-planning culture –little preparation for the meeting
•
First debate and discuss and then find the way forward
•
When things are agreed upon, detailed schedule will be implemented
•
Too much preparation in advance can mean people are trying to force their
ideas on others
•
Agendas are loosely followed – important issues will be handled as they
come up
•
Decision-making meetings can be quite animated and it is expected that
people will say exactly what they feel

14. THE DRINKING TRADITION
•
All through Australia, in every class, it is not considered good form for a man to drink by
himself
•
The consequence is, that when a man feels inclined to drink, he immediately looks out
for someone to drink with
•
"Shouting", or rather its meaning, is peculiarly Australian. The shortest and most
comprehensive definition of "shouting" is to pay for the drink drunk by others
•
Furthermore, alcohol still plays a very important role in the social fabric of Australian
society. University students often discuss their ideas at the pub after lectures
•
Most importantly, the shout is still the mainstay of the Australian pub. It is a custom
that allows an outsider to be inducted into the social group and treated as if they are of
equal status - irrespective of their socio-economic, political or national background

15. LEISURE AND SPORT
• You should try not to get between an Australian
and his leisure time
• For example, they get a minimum of four
weeks annual leave each year (increasing
with service in some cases) and a minimum of three
months additional leave
• After 15 years. service , or after 10 years service
if you work for the Government

16. THANK YOU
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