Asia is a beautiful continent with unique cultures that are as varied as its beautiful silks. My experiences in Asia, along with countless hours with my co-author Liz Alexander, have culminated in what we hope will be a valuable guide for global travelers!
You can order and receive it hot off the presses, and follow other news about the book, on my Amazon Author page.
Here’s a summary to give you a taste of what to expect:
Be culturally smart and build lasting business relationships in 10 Asian countries.
Over the last four decades, Asia has been the primary engine of global economic growth. This year the economy in India is expected to grow more than 6 percent, according to the IMF and OECD. China, the world’s largest economy adjusted for raw purchasing power, is sitting on $15 trillion in bank deposits, growing at $2 trillion annually. And since opening its borders to global trade in 2012, Myanmar, formerly Burma, is creating an extraordinary entrepreneurial environment owing to its “greenfield” advantage: a rare opportunity to build a fit-for-purpose economy to suit the modern world.
What does this mean for global leaders? Asia’s economic force signifies a call to action: executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders, whether they presently do business in Asia or not, would be well served to become culturally smart about their Asian counterparts. Only then, as opportunities knock, can they build successful, long-lasting business relationships.
In my new book “Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Guide to Building Trust, Inspiring Respect, and Creating Long-Lasting Business Relationships” (Wiley), I offer a one-stop guidebook to intercultural relationship building and international etiquette in 10 Asian countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, I explore the U.S. business culture for any leader seeking a deeper understanding of the United States.
In “Access to Asia” I explore belief systems to business etiquette, customs to communication styles. I also share advice and anecdotes from interviews with more than 100 business professionals and regional gurus.
Advanced Praise for Access to Asia:
“This handbook provides US Americans with detailed awareness of their own cultural habits of thinking and behavior and pinpoints those that they are most likely to meet in key Asian partners. Its extensive information, essential as a starting point for doing business together, serves as a compass for the reader, stimulating informed curiosity and questioning in real-life contexts.”
Dr. George F. Simons, world-wide consultant, founder, author and editor-in-chief of diversophy® intercultural training games, Nice area, France
“Unlike typical regional business guides, Access to Asia focuses on the deeper side of cultural understanding. It goes beyond rules and facts and helps the reader make sense of the often subtle, yet profound, cultural differences found in Asia—something that’s critical for building successful relationships. Sharon Schweitzer understands that cultural understanding is not just a set of techniques to use, facts to learn, or rules to follow. By learning the cultural perspective of others, we explore the hidden parts of our cultural self. Access to Asia provides a great starting point for this profoundly satisfying journey.”
Joseph Shaules, director, Japan Intercultural Institute, Author of The Intercultural Mind: Connecting Culture, Cognition and Global Living, Tokyo, Japan.
“In a world of highly commoditized products and services, differentiation often comes in the form of human connection. At our core, we humans are remarkably similar. We all care about family, share anxieties, and aspire to greatness, although our definitions may vary. Our cultural norms and beliefs are the gateway to our hearts. Access to Asia is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the cultures of Asia. Sharon’s practical approach offers a fast track to insider status in some of the most exciting economies of our day. Culture does matter!”
Stig Nybo, President – U.S. Retirement Strategy, Transamerica Retirement Solutions. Award Winning Author of Transform Tomorrow: Awakening the Super Saver in Pursuit of Retirement Readiness