Facilitator Molly Marroquin

Your facilitator is:
Molly Marroquin,
Senior Training Specialist
Copyright © 2013 S2Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material is S2Tech property and contains trade secrets. It is
for the sole use of S2Tech employees, not for distribution, sale or
reproduction.

o Provide a general overview of some of
the issues frequenting global teams.
o Provide you with a better understanding
of the US work culture.
o Help you become most effective working
in a US-based work environment.
6/4/2021
© S2Tech 2013. All Rights Reserved 2

o Cultural differences between US and India
o Areas where things can go wrong due to cultural
differences
o What to do to lessen those risks
o How to delight a US-based client
o Learning techniques
6/4/2021

o Cultural Differences
o Language Barriers
o Difference in organizational structure
o Communication style
o Differences in writing
o Time orientation
o Hard work vs. smart work
o Some lifestyle differences
Let’s talk about each of these issues.
6/4/2021

• Indians are more family oriented, while Americans are more
individual oriented.
• Both cultures highly respect family values. Most Americans
also have strong individual values they follow.
• Indians are more intensely competitive with each other in the
workplace/school than Americans.
6/4/2021

Americans
• Have great regard to time and
its value.
• View direct communication as
being more effective, while
Indians prefer a more indirect,
face-saving communication
style.
Indians
• Laid back & flexible with
timings
• Prefer a more indirect, face-
saving communication style
6/4/2021

o Vocabulary
o Speech patterns, accents and pronunciation
o Use of different sentence structure
o Grammatical uses not found in Telugu/Hindi
o Difficulty in processing/producing complex
information in English
o English idioms (phrases that have meaning which
cannot be found in dictionaries/grammar books, but
have meaning to native English speakers)
6/4/2021

6/4/2021
India US India US
Cold drink Soda, Soda Pop,
or Coke
Take a lift Get a ride
Curd Yogurt Cycle Bike
Milk Powder Cream Goggles Sunglasses
Biscuit Cookies/wafers
/crackers
Toilet Restroom
Finger Chips French Fries Note Dollar Bill
Ground Nuts Peanuts Restaurant Bill Restaurant Check
Petrol Gas Lift Elevator
Footpath Sidewalk Queue Line ( As in standing)

6/4/2021

o Negotiations, brainstorming and idea
generation
o Proposing solutions to critical issues
o Dependence on superiors to provide direction
and solutions
o Objective feedback
6/4/2021

o Tendency to say “yes” to requests from clients
and superiors
o Agreeing to things without analyzing task
requirements properly
o Lack of willingness to offer alternative solutions
and defer to authority more easily
6/4/2021

o Tendency to not ask questions for fear of
losing face
o Team communication
o Effective decision-making
o Knowledge transfer/acquisition
o Technical training
6/4/2021

Direct approach to an issue may be considered bad
manners.
Direct approach to an issue is considered essential
to good business.
6/4/2021

o Utilize more high-context communication
o Larger emphasis on the background information
or past significance
o Taking longer to come to the “key point.”
o Get to the crux of the matter
o Efficiency
6/4/2021

o A tendency to make assumptions instead of
asking questions directly
o Not directly asking the source of information
for clarifications but depending on input from
inner-circle of colleagues to explain
something that was not clearly understood
o Body Language
6/4/2021

o Do not use colored text
o Especially RED
o Do not use all CAPS
o Limit use of bold text
o No texting/SMS language
o Mr./Ms. (Last Name)
o Sign your first & last name
6/4/2021

o When forwarding, delete unnecessary
chains below
o Sign first and last name (as per your
employment records). Do not abbreviate.
o Subject line is important: REQUEST FOR…
6/4/2021

Time Orientation:
o Demonstrate a greater comfort level with
delays and interruptions in their work as well
as deliverables
o Less likely to inform superiors or client teams
immediately when a potential delay is first
known
o Wait longer before communicating if
something cannot be done
6/4/2021

Time Orientation:
o Discussion and suggestions take place, even
after the decision has been made or
conclusion already reached.
o Being late for scheduled meetings and
conference calls has a very different impact in
western culture than in India.
6/4/2021

o Evaluated and rewarded for the “effort” or “hard work”
alone.
o “Smart Work” is key
The challenge is to change the focus to be more on “smart
work” rather than just “hard work”.
The intended goal is working more effectively and efficiently
to achieve goals.
6/4/2021

o Greetings
o Being Polite
o Holding the door
o Orderly Behavior
6/4/2021

Exchanging greetings with one another (even though they don’t
know you) is very common.
The proper reaction from you is “I am fine, how are you?” or if
one has said “Hello”, you respond with “Hello, how are you?” Or
just “Hello” if you are too busy.
Often a handshake will accompany a greeting, moderate pressure
(No limp fish) (No Hand wrestling). A firm handshake will go along
way to establishing rapport with the new person.
6/4/2021

o Holding the door for the person following you is a
gesture considered most polite in the US.
o Do not let a door slam in someone’s face.
o If someone is approaching a door with their hands full
or carrying a baby, it is polite to hold the door open for
them.
o If someone is polite to you, you should thank them!
Scrambling at public places is considered impolite. You are
expected to be orderly and wait in line for your turn.
6/4/2021

o People want to be helpful and will be if given the
chance
o Education is considered the key to success
o Both cultures love ice cream
o Relationships are everything in business
o Everyone loves a discount
o There are more problems than solutions and there
are many entrepreneurs trying to figure them out!
6/4/2021

o For speaking differences - watch US news and
current, mature content US television shows
o For speaking English in teams or groups- join Toast
Masters for really good practice
o Talk with friends and acquaintances who have
recently been or are in the US
o Read articles
o Use Google & Web to research
o Use Google Translate
6/4/2021

Facilitator Molly Marroquin

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